Government cracks down on illegal betting

Dennis Tarus

November 5, 2016 9:25 PM

The Meru County Commissioner (CC), Mr Wilfred Nyagwanga, has ordered for the immediate confiscation of all illegal mini betting machines within the county.

The Meru County Commissioner, Mr Wilfred Nyagwanga, has ordered for the immediate confiscation of all illegal mini betting machines within the county.

Nyagwanga said parents have raised concerns that some children are stealing money from home to go and gamble at various spots within the County.

He ordered security officers to conduct a crackdown and hand over the machines branded “Mchina” to police stations to avert any security threats.

The CC said licensing of the betting games could only be done through the Office of President and reports indicates that there are so many machines being operated illegally in the region.

There are no such games that are going to be allowed to operate. Let no one convince the public that they have a permit when our office is not aware of their operations,” said the County Commissioner amid cheers at Mitoone Primary School in Buuri Sub-County.

The CC had received complaints that some youths were misusing the ‘Uwezo’ and Youth Enterprise funds to play gambling games. The gave the orders during issuance of cheques worth Sh. 19.9 million to women and youth groups within the county on Friday by the Public Service, Gender and Youth Cabinet Secretary (CS), Sicily Kariuki,.

Nyagwanga reiterated that the gambling business was breeding a culture of laziness among youth which was bound to injure development in the region. Leaders in the region have urged youth to engage in investment activities to earn a decent living instead of depending on gambling.

Dennis Tarus