By Peter Ochieng
The government has launched the e-goat e-commerce platform, aimed at facilitating continuous virtual transactions of the goat buying and selling economic venture.
Cabinet Secretary (CS) for ICT and the Digital Economy Eliud Owalo who presided over the event, said the bigger picture is to boost the annual Kimalel goat auction, before eventually transitioning into an e-farmer platform.
“This is in tandem with H.E. President Dr. William Samoei Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza government’s e-commerce strategy which is anchored on technological innovations to facilitate virtual business transactions.”
“This platform will heavily augment the annual Kimalel goat auction and eventually culminate into an e-farmer platform,” he added.
The launch was attended by Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives Simon Chelugui and Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau, among others.
Kimalel goat auction is an annual cultural fair that takes place in Baringo county.
During the 9th edition in 2023, the fair raised more than Sh40 million from the sale of more than 3,000 goats. President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua bought goats worth Sh15 million.
The event saw more than 3,000 goats sold in just a few minutes, with farmers from across the county recording good sales.
The President and his deputy purchased 1,000 goats for Sh15,000,000 in cash. That means they brought each goat at Sh15,000 while the other buyers including Cabinet Secretaries and Members of Parliament got one at Sh13,000.
“I want us to buy the goats now and I am not going to accept any cheque from the buyers, only cash transactions. Together with my deputy, we are buying Sh1,000 goats at Sh15,000 while the other buyers can purchase at Sh13,000 as they have agreed,” said the President.
The event was also attended by among others, roads and transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Simon Chelugui, Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich, and Baringo Senator William Cheptumo.
Murkomen and Chelugui bought 150 goats each.