Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino has called on investigative agencies in the country to probe Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i for suspending licences of various betting companies.
In a statement on his official Facebook Page, Babu accused Matiang'i of suspending licences for a number of betting firms for his own personal gain.
"Kenyans were led to believe that this was a moral campaign by Mr Matiang'i but recent events clearly show that this was a personal war targeting certain businesses for his own selfish personal gain.
"The CS is relying on the Betting Licensing and Control Act dating back to 1966 before county governments came into existence. This outdated Act has since been overtaken by the Constitution of Kenya 2010. The new Constitution has since granted these powers to county governments and as such the CS is clearly overstepping his mandate in purporting to suspend licenses," he said.
According to Babu, there is a plot to get rid of top betting firms in the country so as to provide room for new entrants in the industry to flourish.
"Furthermore, this purported suspension only affects the mainstream betting companies which employ thousands of Kenyans while those in which he has an interest remain operational. It is his hope that through such unfair competition practices, he will drive Sportpesa and Betin out of business leaving the industry to recent entrants BetLion where he is represented by his associate Lee Nyachae," Babu posted.
The vocal legislator has now urged the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to investigate the CS over the said claims.
"I call upon the EACC and the DCI to investigate this clear and blatant abuse of office by CS Matiang'i. He escaped responsibility in the Ruaraka Land saga and now thinks that he can do as he pleases.
Mr Kinoti and Mr Haji must know that Kenyans are watching them. Kenyans will judge them not by how they handle the small fish but by how they confront the big fish. CS Matiang'i must know that even Principal Cabinet Secretaries are accountable to the law!" Babu opined.