This archive report was first published on 1 August 2019.
Kenya: Senators Summon CS Matiang'i Over Deportation of Betting Firms' Bosses ¶
On August 1, 2019, senators summoned CS Matiang'i to appear before the Senate Committee on National Security and Foreign Relations to explain the government's decision to deport foreign owners of betting firms.
The move comes after the government issued an order to deport the owners of several betting firms, including Gamcode, Nanovas K, and SportPesa, sparking a heated debate over the rule of law and human rights.
Senators Mithika Linturi and Samuel Cherargei, who are members of the committee, accused the government of undermining the rule of law and violating human rights by deporting the foreign owners without due process.
According to the senators, the government's decision was a clear violation of the Constitution and the law, and that the owners of the betting firms had complied with all the necessary regulations and paid their taxes.
William Mugambi, the CEO of Betin, one of the affected companies, told the committee that the government's decision was a clear case of harassment and intimidation.
"It's a sad day for Kenya when our leaders are more interested in pleasing their foreign friends than upholding the law," Mugambi said.
The committee has given CS Matiang'i and other officials until August 1 to appear before them and explain the government's decision.
