This archive report was first published on 21 August 2019.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has sparked controversy over the suspension of betting licenses, claiming that he paid his university fees through betting.
Speaking at a press conference at Serena Hotel, Owino stated that betting is an internationally recognized activity and that Interior CS Fred Matiang'i acted in bad faith by suspending the licenses.
“Personally, betting assisted me in paying my school fee. I graduated in my Actuarial Science degree because of betting, so we cannot be told that betting is bad,” he said.
Owino maintained that betting companies provide jobs for the youth and that the suspension of licenses will lead to job losses and financial difficulties for those who rely on betting to pay their fees.
“This betting was assisting in provision of employment; those who were employed in various betting companies are now jobless, where will they get jobs? The youth that were using this opportunity to pay fees, where will they get the money from?” he posed.
He threatened to mobilize youths to peacefully demonstrate against the suspension of licenses, stating that “from next week we’re going to mobilise youths in this nation to peacefully demonstrate against you,” Owino added, addressing Interior CS Fred Matiang'i.
