Bien Breaks Down How Much a Winning Luhya Bullfighter Earns

The world of Luhya bullfighting is often seen as a cultural spectacle, but award-winning musician Bien Aimé Baraza has given fans a closer look at what really happens behind the scenes, including how much money the owner of a winning bull takes home. Speaking during a candid conversation on the Mic Cheque podcast in an episode aired on December 3, 2025, Bien shared that he named his current bull after the Kenyan boy band Sauti Sol. The animal is still in training and has not yet participated in an official fight. Before that, he owned another bull named Shisundi, a name inspired by the Luhya word for darkness. As he put it, “Niko na bull nilikuwa na mbili moja inaitwa Shisundi ni ya black, kwa kiluhya darkness inamaanishi Shisundi na yengine Sauti Sol.” He added, “Shisundi iliuzwa lakini Sauti sol ndio imebaki na inaundergo training.”

How Do Luhya Bullfights Work in Kakamega?

Bien explained that bullfighting is a long-standing tradition in Kakamega County, especially in places like Ikolomani and Khayega. These fights happen every Saturday morning, drawing large crowds eager to watch and place bets. “The only place yenye iko na bullfighting ni Ikolomani , Khayega, Kakamega County, every Saturday asubuhi,” he said. He added that the bigger matches are held in local markets. “The big league fight hufanyika kwa soko.”

Determining a winner in these matches involves several indicators. Bien shared that bets usually revolve around how many times the bulls lock horns, how far a bull can push its opponent or whether one bull retreats. “Kuna odds mingi watu hubet, bull inaweza dunda imechapwa, inaweza heap iende kwa wasee, kuna odds za how many times zita lock horns, bull ikisukumwa nyuma kabisa,” he revealed.

When it comes to earnings, the payouts are clear. “Fight moja ni Ksh25k, bull. Ikishinda unalipwa Ksh50k then unalipa Ksh5k kwa association alafu unachukua Ksh45k unaenda nayo.” The financial incentives, combined with the cultural pride attached to owning a strong bull, keep the sport thriving.

Bien also noted that some bulls have become regional legends. One of the most successful belongs to Senator Boni Khalwale, who is popularly known as the “Bullfighter.” Bien highlighted this by saying, “Boni Khalwale ako na bull yenye ni champion.” He added that young people in the community often help train these bulls. “Bulls are trained to fight by children,” he stated.

Can Bullfighting Evolve Into a Modern League?

Beyond the traditional setup, Bien shared that he has been thinking about making bullfighting more structured. His vision includes creating a formal league that operates like a sports competition, complete with betting systems similar to football matches. “Nimekuwa nikifikiria sana kuweka hiyo bullfighting kwa league mnaweza bet because kama unawatch AFC basically unaweza watch bullfighting,” he said.

The blend of culture, community involvement and growing interest shows why bullfighting remains a unique part of Kakamega’s identity. With voices like Bien pushing for modernization, the sport could evolve while still preserving its roots.

By Risper Akinyi