Betting firms in the country have now turned blame on the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) after their pay bill numbers were blocked.
The firms want the taxman to explain why they are facing issues yet they have been tax compliant since they entered the field of gambling.
Giant firms including SportPesa and Betin have pointed an accusing finger at KRA over what befell them since the government embarked on a crackdown on companies yet to comply with the regulations of operation.
The firms told a parliamentary committee that the taxman had gone against the court order and the law after it pushed for the freezing of their accounts as well as withdrawal of their licenses.
The firms insist that the High Court had asked the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) to allow them to operate but their licenses were later withdrawn.
The Betin Kenya told the Senate Committee on Justice, Legal and Human Rights that their rights have been infringed and they want to start operations with immediate effect.
“Despite a High Court order against the KRA, various agency notices have been issued by the KRA against the company freezing their bank accounts,” he said, as quoted by Daily Nation.
“The KRA has proceeded to notify the BCLB that the company is non-compliant and should not have its licences renewed.”
The closure of some giant betting firms has caused a storm in the nation with some of the clubs decrying lack of sponsors following the new move.