Fourteen individuals of non-Kenyan origin, mainly hailing from Eastern Europe and working for the sports wagering firm SportPesa, were expelled from Kenya at the direction of Interior Secretary Fred Matiang’i. These persons were apprehended during searches of SportPesa premises in Nairobi for their purported participation in illicit gaming activities and absence of valid work authorizations.
These expulsions and searches are one element of a continuing struggle between the Kenyan authorities and SportPesa, an enterprise previously halted in 2019 along with 19 others over tax disagreements. While SportPesa returned to the market under Milestone Games Limited with a fresh license, the government, with Matiang’i at the forefront, remains resolute in its position against gaming operations considered unlawful. This recent move emphasizes the Kenyan government’s dedication to taking strong action against businesses believed to be in breach of gambling regulations.
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