Mother blames betting companies after son disappeared

The mother of a teen who disappeared in unclear circumstances 10 days ago and who resurfaced at Diani beach, Kwale County on Sunday has blamed betting companies for his son confusion and disappearance.While addressing the media at Muslims for human rights- MUHURI offices in Mombasa on Monday, Safia said that the betting companies were the main cause of her son’s confusion as various advertisements of people winning millions of shillings and expensive cars would run in all the television all the time.“Though I have forgiven my son and I am ready to counsel him and lead him to the right direction, my worry still remains betting companies where such young children participate and later get confused after losing a lot of money,” she tearfully added.“I have been eating bush nuts and other wild fruits at Dian beach sleeping in a boat since I knew my mother would never spare me for taking her money without permission only to place a bet, I will never participate in betting games again,” he said with tears rolling down his cheeks uncontrollably.MUHURI Chairman Khelef Khalifa termed the incident as unfortunate and asked the government to monitor closely activities of major betting companies in the country.“We must rescue our children from this betting mania they do not have any source of income but they are persuaded to participate so that they win ‘big’,” added Mr. Khalifa.