Editor's Review

The crackdown comes after public uproar over the rising gambling addiction in the country, especially on aviator.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has announced a crackdown on rogue betting firms exploiting unsuspecting Kenyans.

Speaking on Saturday, April 26, PS Omollo noted that the country is losing a number of youths who are hooked on betting.

The Interior PS said that government officials are targeting rogue businessmen and women who own betting firms that exploit Kenyans.

PS Omollo also likened betting addiction to drug and substance abuse.

"We are losing a number of Kenyans, particularly the young ones, who have been hooked to betting. We are working on cleaning that space, and we want to ask that you pay a lot of attention.

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“Let's support the government officers so that we rein in rogue businessmen and women who want to take advantage of our youth to get them hooked into betting. There is no difference between those hooked to betting and those hooked to drugs and substance abuse,” said the Interior PS.

File image of Interior PS Raymond Omollo. 

Omollo disclosed that even President William Ruto has taken note of the gambling issue and has given instructions to curb irresponsible betting.

"This is a matter that even His Excellency the President has taken note of and has given us guidance on what must be done, so going forward there are already changes that are happening and we expect more to happen so that we have a society that can develop and doesn't have some members being completely left alone. We have heard cases of people committing suicide and people getting into criminal activities just so that they can participate in the betting,” PS Omollo added.

The Interior PS’s remarks come after public uproar over the rising gambling addiction in the country, especially on Aviator.

On Tuesday, April 22, the Ministry of Health launched a Rapid Response Team to tackle the cases of addiction to betting in Kenya.

“In response to this emerging public health threat, the ministry has constituted a rapid response team to provide a coordinated and multi-sectoral approach to the crisis. The response includes the establishment of a dedicated helpline for individuals affected by gambling addiction,” Public Health PS Mary Muthoni stated.