Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino received a backlash over demonstration calls against Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Security Fred Matiangi over betting row.
Matiangi banned over 10 betting companies over what he alleges to be tax evasion crimes. The move has led to the closure of gambling firms, leaving thousands of youths jobless as companies released them from their contracts in a bid to cut on costs.
Babu Owino: I urge Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards fans to come out peacefully and ensure that they remove Matiangi from office. We shall communicate the dates @KTNNewsKE @lindahoguttu @SophiaWanuna #TheBigStory pic.twitter.com/lXfe2X4hMS
— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) August 20, 2019
Here is Owino’s full statement:
”Betting was assisting in the provision of employment. So many young people employed by betting companies are now jobless due to the ban.
‘‘You cannot pick-pocket a naked man, personally, for me, betting companies assisted me in paying my university fee. I graduated in my actuarial science degree because of betting, so don’t tell us that betting is bad.”
But Babu’s call could apparently be in uncertainty as Kenyans have slammed him for misleading youths (the most affected people), terming his idea as retrogressive.
Check out some of the reactions from Kenyans;
Why should a leader encourage youth to gamble and cause trouble? Doesn’t he have better ways to get the youth solve their financial challenges? He is a lawmaker and he can use legal means to drive his point home
— Fr. John Webootsa (@webootsa) August 20, 2019
Correction. Leaders dont do such nonsense. This… I have no words.
— mr.ben (@MusaMacManaman) August 20, 2019
And this guy went to UoN and thats the best plan he has. These Gor Mahia and Leopards fans should feel insulted.
— ErickoDreadz (@ErickoDreadz) August 20, 2019
Shame, shame, shame
— Arnold Makumba (@Arnomak) August 21, 2019
only jobless hooligans will listen to him #TheBigStory if these are those youthful mps we elected then youths are doomed
— Bena (@Sufferer_ben) August 20, 2019
Why do you give this lad cameras he so annuisance
— sammy intergrated (@Sammyki62814809) August 20, 2019
Rubbish. Fund your clubs with your enhanced perks
— Msa (@Omuyangu) August 21, 2019
This MP’s are bribed at the expense of our future generation, Waziri Matiangi keep up the good work
— Cele (@twitceles) August 21, 2019
Hon. Babu, are these fans guns for hire…. Is this the procedure of removing a CS? Something is very wrong with this MP.
— Tom_Brook (@Tom98019877) August 21, 2019
Madness
— NICKY (@realmuindi) August 21, 2019
Sportpesa, Kenya’s leading betting firm has withdrawn all sports-related sponsorships as a result of the ban which will greatly affect the running of major sporting entities in Kenya such as the Kenya Premier League and big clubs like Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards.