More than 300 gambling machines have been burnt at the Kadongo Grounds at Mshomoroni in Mombasa.
Mombasa County Commissioner Evans Achoki said the machines were set on fire after his officers impounded them following a crackdown in Changamwe, Jomvu, Nyali, Kisauni, and Likoni sub-counties.
He told journalists that the county government will ensure all gambling machines in Mombasa are destroyed saying they have destroyed minds of the youths.
According to Commissioner, children steal money from their parents to gamble and even skip school due to gambling, something he said the government will not entertain.
On his part Coast Regional Coordinator Bernard Leparmarai expressed satisfaction saying coast residents have been on the lead in reporting locations where the machines are installed, making it easier for the police to raid the areas.
Leparmarai warned that crackdown on gambling machines in all coastal counties will continue so as to save lives of the youth.
During commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at Tononoka Grounds in Mombasa (on Tuesday), Interior Chief Administrative Secretary Patrick ole Ntutu warned that the government has banned importation of gambling machines saying they have destroyed families.
"We have banned all these gambling machines in Western. We have been to Rift Valley and will continue destroying them throughout the country. We won’t allow our children to be misled by such gadgets. We will not even import them," said Ntutu.