Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has revealed that Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has an interest in the betting sector. He said some government officials have an interest in the betting sector, with the withdrawal of licenses for some big betting companies part of the ploy. Speaking after accompanying MPs who were calling for the reinstatement of betting companies’ licenses, Malala said a relative of CS Matiang’i is one of the directors at a betting company, Betlion. “He has interests..he is blocking these other companies from operating so that his company can benefit,” said Malala.
He further pointed out that betting companies have helped Kenya’s sports industry and youth employment. He said blocking the betting giants SportPesa and Betin hasn’t helped the youths in any way. He pointed out that teams that used to benefit from SportPesa in the Kenya Premier League are going to suffer as a result. “It’s important that the government rings together these betting companies and outlines the laws they are supposed to keep, but their licenses shouldn’t be withdrawn.”
