This archive report was first published on 7 October 2019.
Published on October 7, 2019, the closure of two major betting companies in Kenya has left many young people who relied on them for income in a difficult situation.
Sam, a third-year Procurement student, has been betting since he joined campus and was a regular of one of the closed betting sites. He has been paying his school fees as well as those of his two younger brothers for the past two years now; all from betting.
Kevin, a 25-year-old Information Technology student, is another example of someone who has been affected by the closure. He drives a Mark X and has been betting to support himself and his family.
While some people may view the closure of the betting firms as a positive development, others see it as a negative consequence. The firms cited harsh business ground and frustration by government bodies and officials as the reason for their move.
However, critics argue that the firms were shut down because of spreading the bad culture of betting among the youth. But betting is a choice, just like drinking alcohol, and those who engage in it should be responsible for their actions.
As the debate continues, it is clear that the closure of the betting firms has left many young people in a difficult situation, and it remains to be seen how they will adapt to the new reality.
