The race course, which is next to a popular golf course, is the only one in Kenya’s capital and is usually used for horse races, athletic events and golf tournaments, but organizers of the Goat Derby were confident that they could successfully add their novelty races to the course’s annual roster. Proceeds from the event will go to a local medical charity known as the Heart to Heart Foundation.
“We had seen the Goat Derby being done in Uganda and we thought to ourselves why can’t we do it here in Nairobi? We are Kenyans; we love goats even though we enjoy eating them more. But we thought why not have a goat derby here so that’s how we came up with idea actually,” said Juliet Nyaga, executive director of Heart to Heart Foundation.
Each goat had a corporate or individual sponsor, but having a patron didn’t necessarily translate into peak performance and the pressure proved too much for some of the racers.
The middle class is growing in East Africa’s largest economy and that has sparked demand for more entertainment options. Events at the race course that were previously viewed as elitist by some people, are now attracting a whole new crowd.
“I am enjoying myself definitely when I am seeing the goats running plus also the people have to run after them, and I’m also thinking it’s a good way to bring people together for a good cause definitely,” said Irene Ndirangu, who was representing one of the Derby’s corporate sponsors.
The goats that lived up their billing will have bragging rights for the next year, and with inspiring nicknames like “Misdemeanour”, “Sasha Fierce” and “Official”, even those goats that aren’t on the podium could mount a formidable challenge next year.