A section of residents have raised concerns on the increasing numbers of elderly women visiting gambling booths and halls in Machakos County.
The locals said most of the women from the county had forgotten their societal roles since they spent most of their valuable time gambling in shopping centres and markets across the county.
"Many women including elderly ones crowd gambling booths and halls in Machakos County, the previously male dominated field is now overtaken by women," Resident Grace Wanja said.
They spoke to this writer in Machakos town on Wednesday.
Wanja said the women had been lured into gambling after they watched on a television a woman from the county win Sh100,000 jackpot prize last month.
"We have learned we can make a kill from gambling since we idle at home while our husbands are busy at work fending for the family," said another resident Angeline Mwelu.
Mwelu said the rising numbers of women involved is not only evident in Machakos but also in other parts of the country.
The locals condemned the equally rising numbers of children who participate in bets in the county.
"We are disappointed with owners of the betting machines who allow children to participate in gambling," Ezekiel Kilonzo, mechanic at KMC estate said.
The residents called on the government to crackdown on betting joints whose operators do not operate within the provisions of the law.
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