The government has been urged to rescind its latest decision to ban the use of celebrities, influencers and content creators to promote gambling.
Addressing the press on Friday, the Digital Content Creators Association of Kenya (DCCAK) accused the government of seeking to implement the directive without consulting them.
The content creators clarified that they have always adhered to the Betting Control and Licensing Board's (BCLB) regulations and international advertising standards.
According to them, many content creators actively support responsible gambling messaging and promote verified, licensed operators and never glamorised betting or portrayed it as a get-rich scheme.
"We express our concern regarding the lack of stakeholder engagement before the issuance of this directive, particularly the blanket suspension of influencer participation in gambling promotions," the content creators lamented.
They added, "As a body representing digital content creators and influencers across the country, we were not consulted, yet we remain a significant and legitimate player in the advertising and creative economy."
While reiterating their stand, the influencers underscored the need to engage them in such matters since they were instrumental in disseminating controlled, ethical, and approved content, especially in digital spaces where youth engagement is high.
They reiterated that the move to ban them from promoting gambling activities disregarded the professional discipline most of them exercise when promoting any product, including betting.
To address the stalemate, they formally requested an urgent engagement with officials from BCLB, the Office of the Attorney General, and other relevant stakeholders to deliberate on the issue.
They further expressed their availability to openly work with BCLB and other industry partners in co-developing guidelines for responsible digital gambling content.
"We would be honoured to collaborate on BCLB’s 'Chukua Control' campaign, leveraging our networks and creative talent to extend its reach, especially among the youth," the content creators reiterated.
The statement by the digital content creators follows hours after BCLB banned them from advertising gambling activities in the media. This comes as a major setback for celebrities and content creators who rely on the lucrative industry for income.
