Local and international investors are the brains behind the mobile phone-based sports betting platform SportPesa.
Former chairman of the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KAPA) Ronald Karauri, businessman Paul Wanderi Ndung’u and Asenath Wachera Maina are the principal owners of SportPesa.
Other investors are Bulgarians — Guerassim Nikolov, Valentina Nikolaeva Mineva and Ivan Kalpakchiev.
Also American businessman Gene Grand is in the list of top shareholders of Pevans East Africa, the entity behind SportPesa.
According to regulatory filings at the registrar of companies, two other Kenyans, Francis Waweru Kiarie and Robert Kenneth Wanyoike Macharia also have minority stakes in the betting firm.
SportPesa became Kenya’s first company to sponsor a football team in the UK’s topflight premier league. It has also made a betting deal with Southampton FC.
The three-year deal will see SportPesa’s name and logo on Hull City’s shirts when the next season begins in August.
Locally, SportPesa sponsors AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia, Kenya Rugby Union and the Kenya Premier League.
In February this year, Arsenal Football Club signed a partnership deal with SportPesa seeking to grow its fan base in Kenya by offering locals exclusive bets and offerings such as merchandise and tickets.
Mr Karauri currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the company.