The County Government of Nairobi has launched a new crackdown on gambling to weed out criminal elements.
A statement sent to newsrooms on February 7, informed that Governor Mike Sonko's administration revoked the licenses of street gamblers following increased cases of fraud.
The Department of Trade issued the order to cancel licenses on advice from the Security and Compliance Department.
The licensees have been violating the terms and conditions and are believed to be conning innocent clients of their hard-earned money.
Inspectorate officers operating within and outside the CBD have thus been granted the power to arrest and avail for identification all individuals operating as street gamblers, commonly known as pata potea.
City Hall Director for Security and Compliance Joseph Kipsang stated that the county is committed to curbing street gambling and muggings, which have increased again in recent months.
This comes in the wake of an arrest of six individuals in connection with street gambling.
Some licence holders had turned into con artists who rob people on the streets. Women and the youth were the biggest victims of the well-crafted fraud.
The areas targeted in the crackdown include Kenya Cinema and its environs, Luthuli Avenue, Ronald Ngala, National Archives, OTC Bus Station and Koja.
The county’s new Security and Compliance Chief Officer Patrick Mwakio has meanwhile warned muggers that their days are numbered.
On Thursday, February 6, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives arrested three members of a mugging ring that has been causing trouble amongst many Nairobians.
The detectives made an announcement of the arrests on Twitter after being prompted by a Twitter user known as Juma G, who raised alarm about the sharp rise of mugging cases within the city.
Mwakio has vowed to work closely with police officers to ensure the vice is eliminated and security is ensured within the CBD.
He and Kipsang also warned Nairobi residents against falling prey to individuals masquerading as employees of the County Public Service Board.
