Kenya’s Traditional Bullfighting Draws Throngs Of Modern-Day Bettors

In Kakamega County, Kenya, the Luhya community’s traditional bullfighting drew a large crowd on Nov. 29, as two bulls, newcomer Shakahola and longtime favorite Promise, faced off in the arena. The match lasted about three minutes, with the bulls locking horns and tearing up the ground. Shakahola emerged victorious, ending Promise’s decade-long dominance. The crowd, many of whom place bets on the outcomes, celebrated with cheers and dancing as Promise exited the arena with blood marks on his hide.

Updated on: 17 December 2025 8:58 pm

A crowd of spectators encircles fighting bulls Shakahola and Promise as they lock horns at a bullfight, in Kakamega, Kenya. | Photo: AP/Brian Inganga

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A spectator dances and sings after bull Shakahola won bullfighting match, in Kakamega, Kenya. | Photo: AP/Brian Inganga

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Promise, the bull, runs away after being defeated by Shakahola at a bullfight, in Kakamega, Kenya. | Photo: AP/Brian Inganga

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A crowd of spectators dances and sings "Isukuti," a traditional dance accompanied by a set of three drums, after bull Shakahola won bullfighting match, in Kakamega, Kenya. | Photo: AP/Brian Inganga

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A crowd of spectators encircles a fighting bull during a bullfight in Kakamega, Kenya. | Photo: AP/Brian Inganga

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A crowd of spectators dances and sings after bull Shakahola won bullfighting match, in Kakamega, Kenya. | Photo: AP/Brian Inganga

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A crowd of spectators escorts bull Shakahola, a reference to a the 2023 Kenya cult in which more than 400 people died, to a bullfight in Kakamega, Kenya. | Photo: AP/Brian Inganga

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Spectators escort a truck where a bull is loaded, waving their chasing sticks and ululating, on the way to a bullfight in Kakamega, Kenya. | Photo: AP/Brian Inganga

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A crowd of spectators, holding a dead bird on a pole, dances and sings after bull Shakahola won bullfighting match, in Kakamega, Kenya. | Photo: AP/Brian Inganga