Annual Festivals in Kakamega
Malinya Stadium: The Riveting Bullfighting Arena
Malinya Stadium, 13 km south of Kakamega town via A1 Kakamega-Kisumu Road and D260 Sigalagala-Malinya Road, is a top-rated sports facility and a much-liked venue for local sports and community events, often serving as a hub for football matches, cultural activities, and youth engagement programs. But for all that, for most days of the year, the stadium is drab, vapid and abandoned, yet, in February it fills to overflowing as it plays host to one of Kenya’s most riveting annual fiesta.
Every year, traditionally on the 10th of February, Malinya Stadium plays host to the Kakamega Bullfighting Festival. A revered heritage of the Idakho and Isukha Luhya sub-tribes, this riveting festival is a knacker and fierce bullfight extravaganza. At the lively festival and presentation of 10 champion heifers to best performers, the charged hulking bulls and cheering crowd piece together an electrifying vivid fete.
The day-long action an up close and personal gala, with the crowds following the action and running occasionally to avoid getting hit. The finalist bulls, much like a mega-star heavyweight bout, with contestants from the two villages, are highly respected and are often treated with beer or special concoctions, which may include marijuana, before the event. During the fight, the bulls are encouraged to fight with each other while the crowd cheers and cries out in excitement. Each fight lasts between 5 and 30 minutes and is followed by jubilant celebrations.
Comparable with Kakamega Forest, the richness and cultural diversity of cultures in Kakamega County is impressive. Perhaps, more than any other county of Kenya, Kakamega epitomizes the rich tapestry of cultural diversity. Rather unique, relative to its small size, Kakamega has at least 5 unique sub-tribes – Tiriki, Isukha, Kabras, Idakho and Maragoli – each with its unique language, rituals, ceremonies, folklore and cuisine. By the same token, Kakamega County has many top cultural festivals.
It is against this backdrop that the riveting Kakamega Bullfighting Festival, held annually at the Malinya Stadium, continues to draw large numbers. The underlying theme of this fierce bullfight is bringing together the sub-cultures of Kakamega, and visitors to the county, to celebrate Kenya’s cultural diversity. In recent times, the Malinya Stadium in Ikolomani, alongside Bukhungu Stadium, in Lurambi, and Mumboha Stadium, in Luanda, have undergone substantial revamping to interest more travellers to the bullfighting festivals and other events in Kakamega County.
There are a variety of festivals throughout the year in Kenya, celebrating the diverse cultures, traditions, music, art, and wildlife. These annual festivals offer opportunities for cultural exchange, entertainment and exploration, allowing visitors to experience the vibrant and dynamic spirited cultures of Kenya.
A Guide to Festivals in Kenya
January - Koroga Festival, Simot Falls Festival, Diani Ngalawa Regatta, Nairobi Restaurant Week, The Great Grevy’s Rally, February - Africa Nouveau Festival, Lamu Painters Festival, Wine, Chocolate and Cheese Festival, The 10 to 4 Mountain Bike Challenge, Kakamega Bullfighting Festival, Eloko Music and Beer Festival, Safaricom International Jazz Festival, March - The 10 day Mount Kenya Festival, Watamu Fishing and Marlin Championship, Shika Foam Festival, First Lady’s Half Marathon, Lamu Yoga Festival, Barclays Kenya Open, Nairobi Film Festival, Kisumu International Carnival, April - Firi Festival, Lamu Food Festival, Safari Rally, Tobongu Lore, X-treme Expo, Micasa Sucasa, May - Kite Festival, The Mugie Annual Rangeland and Pastrolist Show, Faraja White Water Rafting Challenge, Kilifi Longa Tango Festival, June - Rhino Charge, The Annual Wildebeest Migration, Cake Festival, Safaricom Marathon, July - Mawimbi Festival, Desert Wheel Race, The Mwea Marathon, Watamu Rugby Festival, August - Kenya Music Festival, Mekatilili wa Menza Festival, Tharaka Festival, Maralal International Camel Derby, Art and Beer Festival, Kalacha Cultural Festival, Turkana Festival, September - Blankets and Wine Festival, East African Arts and Culture Festival, The Chemususu Dam Marathon, To Hell’s Gate in a Wheelbarrow, Lokiriama Peace Festival, Concours d’Elegance, Storymoja Festival, Ndakaini Half Marathon, Earth Dance Nairobi, October - Slum Film Festival, Magical Kenya Travel Expo, Global March for Elephants, Rhinos and Lions, Annual Goat Derby, Diani Beach Music Festival, November - Safaricom Sevens, Mombasa Festival, Sigalagala Festival, Lamu Fishing Festival, Laikipia Cultural Festival, Jumia Black Friday Festival, Lamu Cultural Festival, Sawa Sawa Festival, AAR Health Kenya Trees for Health, Rusinga Island Festival, East African Classic Safari Rally, Nairobi Fashion Week, Kilimani Street Festival, December - Tsavo Run, Kisumu Fashion Week, Diani Beach Festival, Lamu Triathlon, Maulidi Festival, Kimalel Goat Auction, Maragoli Cultural Festival, Hakuna Matata Festival
Kakamega County remains a cornerstone of Kenya’s cultural and ecological diversity, with its vibrant traditions, economic activities, and natural beauty making it a critical part of the nation’s heritage. Smack in the middle of Western Kenya, enjoying a temperate climate, Kakemega is both populous and vibrant.
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Explore Destinations Nearby Malinya Stadium
A Guide to Kakamega County
A Summa Digest of Kakamega
About Kakamega Way Back When
30 Destinations in Kakamega County, arranged as one would visit these - north, south, east then west - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Mwikhupo Falls, Sidikho Falls, Kakamega Forest Ecosystem, Kisere Forest, Malava Forest, Mawe Tatu Hills, Kakamega National Reserve, Isukuti Guest House, Udo Bandas, Isiukhu Falls, Lirhanda Cave, Busambuli Lodge, Isecheno Nature Reserve, Kambiri Hill, Mukai Stone Cave, Savona Isle Resort, Rondo Retreat Centre, Yala Nature Reserve, Nandi Escarpment, Lamanis Haven, The Golf Hotel, Kakamega Sports Club, MMUST Botanical Garden, Muliro Gardens, Rosterman Gold Mines, Shilahi Garden, Ikhongo Murwi, Ilesi Pottery Centre, Malinya Stadium, Nabongo Cultural Centre, Hamptons City
Know More About Kakamega County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
The altitudes of Kakamega varies between 1,240 ms to 2,000 ms. The southern part of the county is rather hilly, and strewn with unique and rugged granite tors, rising in places to nearly 1,950 ms.
Temperatures range from 18oC and 29oC. January to March are the hottest while June to August are cold spells. The climate is equable over the county, with adequate and well distributed rainfall.
