The government has destroyed 127 slot coin lottery machines in its crackdown on illegal gaming business in Bureti sub-county, Kericho.
Area Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Mrs Alfet Jillo said they will not relent on the fight against illegal businesses which have left a trail of destruction in my families through players’ addiction.
“Lotto machines have been banned by the government of Kenya and therefore illegal. They are the cause of many family disputes and moral decadence,” said Mrs Jillo.
The administrator said it was quite disheartening to see those addicted gamble their monies away neglecting both their parental and marital obligations.
“Housewives are seen to use the little money for food for their children and try their luck to bet the whole amount and later return home without any maize flour for dinner resulting to assault and quarrels with their spouses,” added Mrs. Jillo.
The DCC reiterated that they will not relent in the war against the illegal gambling business. “The government will not allow illegal gaming activities to take root in the sub-county,” she added.
The DCC who was accompanied by the sub-county police commander Felician Nafula among other senior officers of the security team made the remarks at the DCC grounds where the destruction of the machines was conducted.
The machines were confiscated from Kapkatet, Roret, Litein and Cheborge areas within the sub-county.
A resident Laban Cheruiyot commended the government for the crackdown while in the same breath urged the security agencies to work round the clock to eradicate the gadgets which he said contributed to the breaking up of many families.
By Sarah Njagi
