Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.
A section of Members of Parliament have expressed their concerns over the governments move to shut down betting companies in the country.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the MPs Led by Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala said the betting companies are the major sponsors of sports in the country and a source of income to many youth and their ban would greatly affect them.
On his Part Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino threatened to mobilize the youth to hold peaceful demonstrations if their demands are not met by next week.
“We can not select specific betting companies and leave others, we are also aware that last year alone KRA rewarded and recognized Sportpesa as one of the companies that have complied with its taxes….,” he said.
The Mps added that there are individuals who are misleading the President on the actual revenue of the betting industry further urging Interior CS Fred Matiangi to look at the interest of the said companies and allow them to operate pending the completion of investigations .
“KRA has to open negotiations with these companies so that they can agree on an amicable solution to solve this matter,” Malala said.
They further stated that allegations that betting companies have not been paying taxes are baseless and unfounded adding that the country is loosing approximately 1Billion monthly in form of taxes following the shut down on betting companies.
