Fourteen individuals of foreign origin were expelled from Kenya due to their purported participation in illicit wagering operations. This action followed a search of the premises belonging to the gaming enterprise, SportPesa.

Interior Minister Fred Matiang’i directed the removal of the persons, primarily hailing from Eastern Europe, who were suspected of involvement in an unlawful gaming syndicate while employed by SportPesa.

Apprehended at three separate sites within Nairobi, the accused faced allegations of engaging in gambling activities without the necessary work authorizations. They are slated for repatriation to their countries of origin.

These detentions came after earlier raids this week targeting SportPesa’s offices, executed by a multi-agency task force that included law enforcement. The officials aimed to secure documentation pertaining to SportPesa’s recently reinstated online betting endeavors.

Currently, SportPesa is embroiled in a legal dispute with the government, attempting to prevent the shutdown of its Kenyan operations.

Earlier this month, Matiang’i reaffirmed the government’s unwavering stance against betting and gaming entities that fail to adhere to regulations. “Our position as a government remains unchanged, and we will not entertain any pleas for leniency. Kenyans can be certain that there will be no reversal,” he stated.

SportPesa was among nineteen operators whose licenses were withdrawn in 2019 following a taxation disagreement with the Kenya Revenue Authority.

Nevertheless, the brand resurfaced in October 2020 under the banner of Milestone Games Limited, a newly established company granted a license by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB).

The authorization is currently inactive.