This archive report was first published on 16 July 2019.
Kenya's government has intensified its crackdown on the gambling industry, with 17 foreign directors of betting companies facing deportation.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i signed the deportation orders, citing allegations that the officials had engaged in activities not stated in their work permits.
According to Interior Ministry spokeswoman Wangui Muchiri, most of the directors hail from Eastern Europe.
“Most East Europeans violated work permits by engaging in business not stated on applications,” Ms. Wangui said.
The move comes after the government revoked licenses of more than 20 gaming companies last week, citing failure to meet tax obligations.
President Kenyatta had vowed to streamline the gambling industry, and the government has made significant strides in this effort.
As part of the crackdown, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) revealed that the affected companies had made a cumulative Sh204 billion in 2018 but paid only Sh4 billion in taxes.
Some of the companies, including SportPesa and Betin, have refuted the claims, stating that they remitted taxes as required.
For instance, SportPesa claimed to have made Sh20 billion last year and paid Sh6 billion in taxes to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
