This archive report was first published on 19 July 2019.
On July 19, 2019, the Kenyan Senate faulted Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i over the blanket shutdown of 27 gaming firms operating in the country.
Senators argued that the powers given to the CS were being misused and that the Government was playing double standards. They pointed out that the Government had lowered remittances from 35 per cent to 20 per cent, as stated in the Budget estimates presented to the National Assembly by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich in June.
Reacting to a statement on the gambling row, senators cautioned that the country cannot be run by fiat. Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala argued that the shutting down of text codes and paybill numbers of the companies was ill-advised, and that gamblers will not be able to withdraw or deposit money.
Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo/Marakwet) said minister's power should be exercised with responsibility. He suggested that the minister's powers are donated by the Constitution and can be repealed.
Deputy Speaker Prof. Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka/Nithi) directed a committee chaired by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei to engage with relevant authorities in Government in reviewing laws regulating betting firms.
