Renowned lawyer Donald Kipkorir has lauded the move by leading betting platforms SportPesa and Betin to halt operations in the country.

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Kipkorir said betting and gambling were doing a great disservice to the youth and hailed decision by the government to put tough regulations in the industry.

In a tweet on Saturday, the lawyer said Kenyan youth deserve to be equipped with technical skills instead of being allowed to look for riches from gambling.

"Closure of Sportpesa & Betin is good .. Poor Economy like Kenya can’t have its youth being misled that they can find riches in gambling instead of hard work .. Betting & gambling are the most dangerous vices of a 3rd World Country .. We need technical colleges not betting shops!" Kipkorir tweeted.

SportPesa on Saturday announced that it was shutting down its operations and cited hostile regulations through recently enacted taxation policy.

"Further compounded by the currently in-effect 20, withholding tax on winnings, the economic incentive to place bets will be completely removed as the taxes deprive consumers of their total winnings," read a statement from the giant betting firm.

"Until such a time that adequate taxation and non-hostile regulatory environment is returned, the SportPesa brand will halt operations in Kenya," it added.

The announcement came barely hours after Betin sent all staff home citing financial constraints.