The government on Tuesday announced the deportation of 17 foreign directors of betting firms. Several firms have since been affected following the directive from the government including giant online betting sites SportPesa and Betin.
The move comes after the government ordered Safaricom and other mobile money service providers to block the pay bill numbers of the firms that are yet to comply with the directive.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has ordered the directors to leave the country with immediate effect.
The Central Bank of Kenya has also ordered banks to monitor accounts of all betting firms in the country.
“Consequently, we request you to suspend their pay bills and short codes until otherwise advised,” reads the letter dated July 10, 2019, read a notice from the government, as quoted by Citizen Digital
President Uhuru Kenyatta had maintained that all betting firms must comply with the laws of the country.
He made the remarks at Kiamugumo Primary School in Kirinyaga County during Kirinyaga Governor Anne Mumbi and city lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo’s traditional wedding.
“The firms should stop threats that they will move to court. The government must get its share to fund activities that are beneficial to this country," he said, as quoted by Daily Nation.