Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has denied receiving money from gambling winnings. This comes after reports on social media claimed that the Senator was involved in the proceeds of betting. Cheruiyot has come out strongly to deny the accusations, making it clear that he has no knowledge of betting or any interest in betting businesses.
In a statement he posted on X on Saturday, he said, “Stop this silly smear campaign. I do not even know how to bet, let alone have an interest in a betting firm or related business. Neither directly nor by proxy.” His statement comes at a time when betting activities are facing growing criticism in Kenya, especially due to the increasing number of young people falling victim to gambling addiction.
Kenya’s betting industry has grown rapidly over the past few years. There are now over 200 betting firms allowed to operate, more than double the number that were in business in 2021. This rapid growth has raised major concerns among parents, religious leaders, and policymakers.
Teenagers and young adults are especially vulnerable, with many ending up in huge debts and some even dropping out of school after getting addicted to gambling. Authorities are now under pressure to regulate the industry more strictly to protect the youth and the wider public from the dangers of gambling.
The betting sector in Kenya is heavily taxed. There is a 15% excise tax on stakes, a 20% withholding tax on net winnings, and a 50% betting and gaming tax on the gross revenue of operators. Betting companies also have to pay corporate income tax and other statutory deductions such as Pay as You Earn for their employees.
Despite these high taxes, the industry remains very lucrative. According to the Kenya Revenue Authority, betting firms paid Sh12.47 billion in taxes in the eight months leading up to February 2025. This shows just how much money circulates in the betting world, raising even more concern about its influence on society.
The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), led by Chairperson Jane Makau, has insisted that they are committed to ensuring that betting firms follow all established regulations. The BCLB is preparing to open the new licensing period for the next financial year on May 1.
They hope to tighten controls and reduce the risks associated with gambling. However, the social impact of betting continues to haunt the country. A report published by the National Library of Medicine in January 2022, titled “Gambling-related suicide in East African Community countries,” revealed that between 2017 and 2022, there were about 18 reported suicides linked to gambling across the region.
Out of these, Kenya accounted for 10 cases, the highest number, while Uganda had seven and Tanzania had one. These figures paint a grim picture of how deep the problem of gambling addiction has become, especially in Kenya. As discussions around the betting industry grow louder, public figures like Aaron Cheruiyot are finding themselves caught in the middle of the heated debate, whether fairly or unfairly.
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