Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki orders crackdown on gambling joints

Tharaka Nithi County Governor Muthomi Njuki has ordered a crackdown on illegal betting joints in the county in a bid to tame cheap and unregulated gambling in the region.

According to the governor, a number of residents in the county have turned to gambling with the aim of making quick money, only to turn into addicts.

Speaking at Kanwa market, the Governor said the county government would crack the whip on operators of gambling machines in the county terming the business as illegal and one that should not be entertained.

“Gambling is a means of looking for quick wealth. I have not seen a single trading license for gambling in Tharaka Nithi County. Therefore anyone running a gambling joint is doing so without license, which is illegal,” said the Governor.

“I am hereby instructing the Deputy Governor to conduct raids on all these gambling dens and confiscate those machines with the assistance of our security forces,” added Governor Njuki.

According to the Deputy Governor, Eng. Francis Kagwima, if his ministry were to license gambling, then the tax slapped on the operators would be exorbitant.

“I am not sure whether I will give gambling licenses. If I do, it will be at such a cost that one will have to close down their business. Because even parents are selling their belongings and instead of paying school fees, engage in gambling seeking to double their amounts but it all gets lost in the process,” said the Deputy Governor, who also doubles up as CEC Trade Industry and Cooperative Development in the county.

In the recent past, gambling has become a pastime for youth in many parts of the country. The leaders now insist the activity must be reigned in as it’s now affecting school children resulting to poor performance in schools.