The debate on the negative impact of betting addiction in Kenya took another twist on Sunday, after the National Assembly Chief Whip and South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro blamed former President Uhuru Kenyatta for the issue.
Speaking during a church service in Malava, Kakamega County, Osoro claimed that the former president was solely responsible for the betting problem that Kenya is facing.
While Osoro did not mention the former president by name, he was responding to recent comments made by Uhuru, urging the youth to stand up and demand leadership change.
"I have seen some leaders say that we want to align ourselves with certain political fronts. You are telling the youth to align to remove some people from their leadership positions. When you were the president, it was under your watch that many betting companies were licensed," Osoro said.
The youthful legislator revealed that more than 200 betting companies were licensed during Uhuru’s tenure, contributing to the current problems.
"Under your regime, 200 betting companies were licensed. Nowadays, if the youth wake up in the morning, all they do is bet. Many have taken their lives and fallen into depression because of it," Osoro added.
He revealed that the National Assembly will re-examine the legislative guidelines governing the betting industry in a bid to offer a solution to the problem.
Osoro also expressed frustration with Kenyans who have been criticising President William Ruto following his recent trip to China.
He argued that it was unfair for people to attack the president when they had no alternative solutions to offer for the country's development.
"Recently, I saw people criticising the president for travelling to China. All he did was secure investment opportunities for Kenya, and yet there's still backlash. What do you want?" he questioned.
On Saturday, Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo announced a crackdown on all unlawful betting firms following a public uproar over its implications.
PS Omollo revealed that the government had taken note of the epidemic and would crack down on rogue betting firms preying on Kenyans.
"We are losing a number of Kenyans, particularly young ones, who have been hooked on betting. We are working on cleaning that space, and we want to ask that you pay a lot of attention. Let's support the government officers so that we rein in rogue businessmen and women who want to take advantage of our youth to get them hooked on betting," he stated.
Additionally, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) gave a stern order to all radio and television broadcasters to reduce betting, lottery, and gambling content within 14 days.
In a letter dated April 23, 2025, signed by Director General David Mugonyi, the Authority warned that any station that fails to follow the directive within 14 days from the date of the letter could lose its broadcasting license.
In recent weeks, social media has been flooded with calls from users urging the government to take action against the growing betting menace. Many of these posts have linked politicians to the issue, accusing them of playing a role in the proliferation of betting companies.
