The President will be the Chief guest at the event and is expected to be accompanied by his deputy William Ruto.
President Uhuru Kenyatta will on Friday host the annual Kimalel Goat Auction in Baringo County.
President Uhuru Kenyatta during his recent visit to Kisumu County
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A notice published in the local dailies indicated that the two-day event will kick off on December 21, 2018 with a cultural fair and the launch of completion of Maoi Abattoir and Mogotio Tannery.
DP William Ruto during a past goat auction
Pulse Live Kenya
The event is sponsored by European Union (EU), the Baringo County Government, NHIF, government development authorities and some private companies.
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Unrest over NHIF
Some farmers have expressed discontent over a mandatory NHIF deduction on their auction proceeds, threatening to boycott the event altogether.
"If a farmer sells two or three goats at Sh 10,000 or Sh 12,000, what is the bitterness of one being asked to part with Sh 6,000 for NHIF?" Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis posed.
He explained that the deduction covers their whole year's subscription with the government insurer and that the decision was reached after consultations with the farmer.
DP William Ruto during the 2017 Kimalel Goat Auction
Pulse Live Kenya
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During the 2017 edition of the auction, DP Ruto paid Sh 12 million in cash for 1,000 goats.
The auction brings in about Sh 2.9 billion to the county with over 120,000 animals sold in a year.
