Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has threatened to mobilize Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards Fans and betting enthusiasts across the country to match peacefully and eject Dr Fred Matiang’i from office.
Babu Owino has accused the Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Matiang’i of attacking betting companies for his own selfish reasons.
He accused the CS of applying the law selectively leaving companies where he had an interest in to operate while suspending the mainstream betting companies.
“If betting companies are being closed because of non-payment of taxes then its a lie. Last year alone KRA rewarded betting company Sportpesa for being tax compliant,what happened between last year and now…” Babu Owino stated.
He added:
“The only interest we know that exists in this whole fight is common interest,personal interest, interest between BetLion and other betting companies. BetLion it is alleged that Matiang’i has relationship with Nyachae. Because of that interest other betting companies must be closed so that they mobilize the betting industry…We are going to mobilize Gor Mahia Fans,you know how they react, We are going to mobilize AFC Leopard fans and other youths across the nation. We are going to peacefully match and remove that man( Matiang’i) from the office.”
Why would a year ago, @KRACare
Award Sportpesa as one of the best tax paying corporate, now their license has been revoked a year later that its not paying tax. Which tax exactly,kitu kidogo?#MPAgainstImpunity pic.twitter.com/eLtykztT1V— KIBANJA 💕🇰🇪💯 (@PrettyAfricaKid) August 20, 2019
Babu Owino stated that he will continue defending the betting industry has betting helped him pay his school fees.
Betting company assisted me pay my school fees when I was in campus and we will demonstrate against tax and beefing firms. ~ Babu Owino#MPAgainstImpunity
— Bevalyne Kwamboka (@bevalynekwambo3) August 20, 2019
The outspoken legislator was among a group of over 20 mps from both ODM and Jubillee Parties who held a press conference over the betting industry shutdown.
The MPs are reading malice in Matiang’i latest crackdown which has forced the giant betting Company Sportpesa to withdraw from the Kenyan market. They lawmakers are calling for investigation into the crack down on the betting industries.
The full presser by the MPs today in the morning, on the state of Betting firms and KRA https://t.co/bWDO6vO9mM#MPAgainstImpunity
— Stiffler (@sircheboiwo) August 20, 2019