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{
    "id": 1233351,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1233351/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 122,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nyeri Town, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Duncan Mathenge",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "It is true, society must be more central in the new dispensation in as far as controlling betting is concerned. In a 2017 global survey on youths between 17 and 35 years, Kenya had the highest number of betting youth compared to Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa. We are destroying an entire generation. Desperation for instant money increases unemployment rates, constant announcements, the thrill of gambling, slick advertising and celebration of winners is feeding this insanity. Gambling losses lead to severe debt, listing on Credit Reference Bureau (CRB), depression and anxiety. Gambling must be listed among other social ills like rampant corruption, illicit sex, alcohol, drugs and crime. There may be a society of Kenya which has a constitutional mandate to set standards and regulate compliance of those standards by the media. The Media Council Act 2013, Section 6(d) which obligates the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) to promote and enhance ethical professional standards among journalists and media enterprises acknowledges that licensed gambling has been promoted by media houses. This state of affairs cannot continue. Gambling on our airwaves, is taking gambling on every street in every household in this country. This is worse than selling cigarettes in kiosks. The media must be open to scrutiny and accountability when it negates its primary duty. Gambling on airwaves is an insanity driven by competition for audience, technology, penetration and the changing environment for the media houses. Therefore, I hear the mood of the House is that we move with speed to introduce a Bill to regulate betting in this country. I am promising, Hon. Members, that I am up to the task and the Betting Control and Licensing Board Act, which is the legal framework that is controlling and regulating betting in this country is qualified. It was enacted in 1966 and at that time there was no internet and no mobile money. Therefore, I thank this House for the contributions on this Motion and I believe it is time we moved with speed to protect our society from this evil. I submit."
}