A form three student's bull nicknamed Sanchez will be handed the Malinya bullfighting mantle in a special ceremony to be presided over by former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.
Khalwale in an interview with Nairobi Leo said they were saddened by the death of Pogba, one of the greatest bulls with more than five titles to its name. Pobga belonged to Khalwale's eldest son.
"The greatest bull for the Abakakamega, Malinya Pogba is gone. We are hosting a special handover ceremony at Malinya stadium. Bullfighting will never die. Long live the King of the beautiful game," stated Khalwale.
The bull succumbed to East Coast Fever. Its remains were interred by the family in the absence of the cultural sport's patron who was on his way from Nairobi to attend the handover ceremony on Saturday afternoon.
Read More
In most cases, a sick bull retires from the game. Unlike in the case of Pogba, a special herb found in Kakamega is usually used to cleanse meat from the bull's remains before being shared out to members of the bullfighting community.
"We usually have a special herb that is sprinkled on the meat. It clears any toxicity from the bull's meat. This will not be the case for Pogba. East Coast Fever is a health hazard and that is why we are treating this differently. It's already been buried," explained Khalwale.
Sanchez, a bull belonging to a form three student -Dr. Khalwale's youngest son, will be installed as the reigning champion at the special ceremony on Saturday (today) afternoon as the new king of Malinya.
"I am approaching home. I have been away for the campaigns in Msambweni but we are going to have a special ceremony at Malinya Stadium where we shall handover Pogba's baton to Sanchez. The game will never die," Khalwale stated over the phone.
According to Khalwale, when a healthy bull retires from the game, it is sold to the butcher as it is safe for human consumption. The owners are then encouraged to use resources to raise younger bulls in its lineage in preparation for introduction to the game.
Case of a bull killing its owner
In Dr. Khalwale's over 4 decades in bullfighting, there hasn't been a case of a bull killing its owner. The community, however, has a severe punishment laid out in the event a bull kills its owner during a match.
"It is very rare. It has not happened in my many years in the game. If that happens, the bull is slashed into pisses. Spectators are required to kill the bull by cutting it into pieces as a way of fighting back for committing such a crime," explained the Bullfighter.
The sport is very popular among the Luhya's of Ikolomani, Shinali and Lurambi sub-county.
