This archive report was first published on 4 July 2020.
Kenya's Betting Industry Under Scrutiny ¶
On June 3, 2020, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i met with leaders from Murang'a county at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to discuss the government's stance on betting.
Speaking at the meeting, Matiang'i emphasized that the government was committed to regulating the betting industry and preventing its negative effects on the youth.
According to Matiang'i, President Uhuru Kenyatta had not toned down his stance against betting, and the government was determined to enforce the laws regulating the industry.
"Government doesn't intend to relax betting laws which saw many companies exit the scene. There are laws to tame the vice and they will be enforced without doubt," Matiang'i said.
He also clarified that no betting licences had been issued in the current financial year pending approvals from the Ministry of Health.
"Licensing will be strict because it is from here that challenges emanated in the past. We respect the National Assembly's position on the matter also," Matiang'i added.
These comments come after President Uhuru Kenyatta signed the Finance Bill on June 30, 2020, which scrapped the 20% tax on betting.
