Sportpesa CEO Ronald Karauri. His company has canceled all local sports sponsorship deals. [Photo/Standard]
Kenyans have shown their frustrations after Sportpesa withdrew its sports sponsorship in the country.
This decision was reached upon today, Tuesday after the betting firm held a meeting with sports representatives from clubs and federations.
The move to withdraw was occasioned by the government’s new tax regime, which will see betting firms and lotteries pay more than what they were paying.
Many have questioned Sportpesa’s loyalty to sponsoring sporting events in the country, with others bashing the government for being greedy and ruining what was starting to become a promising venture for Kenyan football.
Omondi Richard Have they withdrawn Arsenal, hull city, and Everton sponsorship?this arm-twisting and blackmail will not help...they just need to review or reduce but not to stop...all companies in Kenya pay 30% tax and still sponsor sports and communities eg equity bank, KCB etc and provide jobs in thousands...
Edgar Manyara where are the new 5 stadiums they promised in their first year of their manifesto.The government has neglected sports. Ngoja muone teams suffering.
Chris Heartbit This is very sad.Sportpesa has actively supported Kenyan sports they deserve some tax incentives for that... it's also a local co that has gone global ...They should be listened to.
Edmond Kutete They should stop Sponsoring foreign Clubs and concentrate on growing Kenya's Sports, maybe we will think of supporting them,otherwise the Kind of money they make is big 35% is a drop in the ocean.
The government increased the percentage tax last year, with the firms now expected to pay 35 percent.