'Betting Paid My University Fees', MP Babu Owino Says as He Threatens Mass Protests over Closure of Bookmakers

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has threatened to stage mass demonstrations if Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i fails to reinstate licenses of betting companies.

Speaking during a media briefing at Serena Hotel in Nairobi on Tuesday, MP Owino claimed that betting funded his university education.

The first-term MP argued that gambling is an internationally recognized practice and accused Matiang’i of acting in bad faith by suspending the bookmakers' permits.

“Personally, betting assisted me in paying my school fee. I graduated in my Actuarial Science degree because of betting, so we cannot be told that betting is bad,” Babu said.

Owino, who was accompanied to the presser by several other MPs from across the political divide, said Matiang'i's move also rendered several Kenyans jobless.

“This betting was assisting in the provision of employment; those who were employed in various betting companies are now jobless, where will they get jobs? The youth that were using this opportunity to pay fees, where will they get the money from?” he posed.

“This is a willing buyer-willing seller thing…let it be known to the Cabinet Secretary that from next week we’re going to mobilize youths in this nation to peacefully demonstrate against you,” Owino added.

More than 20 gaming companies including SportPesa and Betin were denied operating licenses over allegations of failing to meet their tax obligations.