State turns heat on illegal gambling dens, shisha joints : The Standard

Unscrupulous dealers have started to assemble gaming machines locally, after the Government banned their importation last year. According to Nairobi Regional Commissioner Kang’ethe Thuku, unscrupulous dealers have found a way to manufacture the machines’ motherboard using other components to assemble the full machine. Speaking yesterday during a crackdown on the operators of the machines, Mr Thuku said the Government was ready to smoke out those assembling them. He urged the youths who felt addicted to gambling to liaise with authorities and expose those who were assembling the machines.

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“Importation of the machines was banned, but we are aware that the motherboards are being built locally,” Thuku said. “Show us where they are, we will take those people to court and ensure they face the full force of law.” Yesterday, police destroyed hundreds of the machines as well as shisha pots in Nairobi’s Baba Dogo area.  Breeding crime The machines were collected from various parts of Nairobi, including Buruburu, Makadara and Korogocho.

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According to residents of Nairobi who were interviewed, the gambling craze had caught up with children, youth and women. Thuku warned that chiefs and their assistants would be held responsible if such machines were found in their jurisdictions. “We do not want crime in our communities. These machines continue to render our youths and children useless since they cannot think of anything else,” Thuku said. In May last year, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i led another major crackdown on illegal gambling spots.

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