Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura on Monday, April 28, 2025, announced immediate intervention to address runaway gambling in the country.
In a statement, Mwaura indicated that a multi-agency team consisting of the Internal Security and National Administration, Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), Media Council of Kenya (MCK), and the Kenya Revenue Authority had scaled up conversation regarding the matter.
Mwaura noted that the multi-agency engagement is expected to tabulate measures and strategies aimed at addressing runaway gambling.
Runaway gambling refers to a situation where gambling behaviour has become uncontrolled and is having significantly negative consequences on a person’s life and the lives of those around them.
“The multi-agency team comprising the Internal Security and National Administration, the AC, BCLB, KFCB, MCK, KRA and other security agencies is working on measures and strategies to address the perceived runaway gambling, especially in virtual games and jackpots,” Mwaura wrote on X on Monday, April 2025.
“This is in order to protect Kenyans from harmful practices,” he added.
Public uproar
Before his confirmation of the government’s intervention, social media platforms were awash with stories of people lamenting losing their hard-earned money to some gambling platforms.
The conversation gained traction, capturing the attention of members of parliament, with Gilgil MP Martha Wangari Wanjira voicing concern over the online betting game’s impact on livelihoods across the country.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, the legislator called for urgent intervention by the government to regulate and control the spread of what she termed an addictive game of chance.
“I rise to seek a statement from the chairperson of the Committee on Finance regarding the measures being taken by the government in respect to its mandate of regulating and controlling gaming activities in Kenya,” she said.
CA orders
Following the concerns, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) gave TV and radio broadcasters a firm directive to cut down on betting, lottery, and gambling content within the next 14 days or risk losing their licenses.
David Mugonyi, the Director General of the Authority, voiced growing concerns over an increasing number of consumer complaints about the overwhelming amount of betting-related programming on TV and radio.
“The Authority has noticed that many broadcasting stations exceed the approved quota for betting, lottery, and gambling content in their programming schedules, violating the Licence Conditions, Programming Code, and Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998,” CA stated.