15 people have been arrested, more than 50 Chinese betting machines seized and 20 gaming premises closed down at a crackdown in Athi River sub-county.
Speaking to this writer in his office on Wednesday, area deputy county commissioner Geoffrey Omoding said he had directed all assistant county commissioners and chiefs to conduct a crack down on Chinese betting machines in the entire sub-county.
Omoding said the game was encouraging laziness among youth as it instills bad culture among them of trying to make money out of lack.
“We do not know the people behind this, all counties have been invaded by these Chinese betting machines,” said Omoding.
He said the operation by chiefs and police officers to eradicate the illegal gambling machines in the region were conducted in Katani, Syiokimau, Mlolongo, Athi River and Kinanie locations between Monday and Tuesday.
Omoding warned to take stern action against the administrators who fail to fight the trade in their areas of jurisdiction.
“All assistant county commissioners should work with the police to make the crackdown successful, we want to protect members of the public from fraud,” said Omoding.
Omoding said underage and vulnerable members of the society must be safeguarded against illegal gambling.
He said some people engage in criminal activities to raise money for gambling in hope of winning lotteries.
Omoding said those who want to run the business should get clearance from Betting and Licensing Board.
He said his office will subject those cleared with the board to the sub county’s local laws.
“We will ensure vulnerable and underage are not engaged in the game to avoid promoting gambling addiction, we are going to subject traders cleared by the board to our local laws,” said Omoding.
Omoding said some locals engaging in unscrupulous businesses were in cahoots with Chinese agencies who supply residents with the machines.
He said the Chinese gambling business was mushrooming everywhere in residential premises, schools, bars, hotels, water kiosks, shops, photo studios and markets in the sub-county.
Omoding said he will not allow the business in the region whether licensed or not.