Matiang'i Orders Deportation of Foreigners Involved in Betting

Interior CS Fred Matiang'i, on Monday, ordered for the immediate deportation of foreigners involved in gambling without the relevant work permits.

Speaking during a Betting Control and Licensing Board stakeholders’ forum at the Kenya School of Government (KSG), Matiang'i stated that the government would not allow people to come into the country and engage in unlawful businesses.

He noted that some foreigners had the habit of applying for work permits for different businesses and ended up engaging in gambling.

He warned those running gambling businesses without licenses risked deportation.

In his address, Matiang'i directed the State Department for Immigration Gordon Kihalangwa to review the work permits of all foreigners doing business in the country. 

With a sense of urgency, he ordered Kihalangwa to present the report by end of business Monday.

Matiang'i noted that betting firms owed Kenya Revenue Authority Ksh26 billion in unpaid taxes while efforts to collect had been frustrated through court processes.

“Poignantly, attempts to recover this amount have not been fruitful because the key industry operators have found refuge in judicial processes where all manner of court orders are sought and issued,” he stated.

He urged gambling firms to pay their dues noting that 90 percent of the betting industry was run by foreigners who were reaping huge profits.

The CS further stated that if it were up to him, he would wind up the betting sector.