Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has lauded Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i after he signed deportation orders of 17 foreign directors of companies involved in gambling.
In a tweet on Tuesday, Khalwale asked the directors, who were ordered to leave immediately, to 'exit quietly', since they could not be allowed to transform the country into a betting nation.
"CS Matiang'i deserves golden accolades for his efforts on streamlining the betting industry. The 17 betting directors facing deportation must exit quietly. Transforming Kenya into a Las Vegas of Africa is a luxury we can illafford," he posted on Twitter.
The move to send away the foreigners comes days after the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) suspended licenses of 27 betting firms on allegations of tax evasion.
The government further directed mobile money service providers to withdraw pay bill numbers and SMS codes for the blacklisted companies.
“We wish to inform you that the licenses for the following betting firms were not renewed until they meet the outstanding renewal requirements as well as outcome of ongoing due diligence to determine if they are fit and proper to hold a license from this board. Consequently, we request you to suspend their pay bills and short codes until otherwise advised,” said BCLB acting director Liti Wambua in a letter dated July 10, 2019, quoted by Citizen Digita.
SportPesa, Betin, Betway, Betpawa, Elitebet, PremierBet, Lucky2u, 1xBet, MozzartBet, Dafabet were some of the firms whose licenses were cancelled.