Kisumu County Assembly on Wednesday debated on a Motion aimed at banning the coin slot gambling machines that are now rampant in estates and villages within the County.
Kondele MCA Gabriel Ochieng who tabled the Motion said gambling has become a menace in the county and must be stopped.
Ochieng said children, women and the youth have become embroiled in the addictive activity and has affected individuals, families and even led to death.
“These machines will finish our people, we want them out of the estates,” he said.
He said the gambling machines must be probed and even stopped from being used in estates forthwith.
Nyalenda B Ward MCA James Were said gambling activity must be controlled by the county adding that it is spreading like a bonfire and no revenue is being paid to the county.
Market/Milimani Ward MCA Edwin Anayo however, said the county has no mandate in banning the gambling machines but can only regulate their operations.
“These machines cannot exist within our midst without government approval, I know they have license from the betting control board, what we should focus on is to regulate its activities,” he said.
Temporary Speaker Samuel Ombogo ruled that he would not give a total ban for gambling machines yet but instead directed the Trade and Cooperative Enterprise Development within 21 days to do so.
He said the committee will have to dig in and find out if the machines are licensed or not for the Assembly to take appropriate action.