State bans imports, operation of gambling machines

The Government has banned the importation and operation of gambling machines.

Speaking on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Mombasa on Tuesday, Interior Chief Administrative Secretary Patrick ole Ntutu said the machines have destroyed families and kept children and youths out of school.

“We have banned all these gambling machines in Western. We have been to Rift Valley and will continue destroying them throughout the country. We won’t allow our children to be misled by such gadgets. We will not even import them,” he said.

Mr Ntutu, together with Coast Regional Coordinator Bernard Leparmarai and Mombasa County Commissioner Evans Achoki, burnt more than 320 gambling machines at the Kadongo Grounds in Mshomoroni. The machines were impounded during the government crackdown in Kisauni, Likoni, Changamwe, Jomvu and Nyali.

Mr Achoki said the crackdown will continue until all gambling machines in the area are destroyed.

“We are glad that this is an initiative by the residents. The machines have become a menace and we are here to rectify the mess,” Mr Achoki said.

Mr Joseph Deng’ea from Mshomoroni supported the crackdown, saying children have taken to the get-rich-quick games and steal money to play.