Police on Tuesday impounded and burnt over 60 gambling machines in Matungulu, Kakamega.
The machines, which were confiscated by security officers from several gambling joints in the region, were jointly burnt outside Kantafu Koma location chief’s office under the watch of the top county security organs.
Kakamega County Commissioner, Abdiruzak Jaldesa, supervised the raids, which saw youth scrambling to retrieve the money in the machines before they were set ablaze.
Gambling machine owners were also arrested and are expected to be charged with contravening betting laws.
“We are giving a stern warning to those involved in the business that they will be arrested and charged in court. We won’t allow this kind of business to thrive since it’s a haven for criminals,” stated Jaldesa.
The estimated value of the destroyed machines stands at nearly Ksh5 million with each machine costing at least Ksh80,000.
The latest crackdown comes just a year after 40 machines worth Ksh3.2 million were set ablaze in Matisi by Bungoma County Commissioner James Kianga.
Over 60 gambling machines burnt outside chief’s office in Kantafu Koma location Matungulu sub-county pic.twitter.com/qyUYNKNF77
— Hot 96 FM Kenya (@Hot_96Kenya) October 1, 2019
In the neighbouring Vihiga county, 105 machines valued at Sh8.4 million were destroyed by County Commissioner John Chelimo in 2018.
Recently, police in Kabarnet, Baringo, destroyed over 100 similar machines.
Two weeks ago, Interior CS Fred Matiangi issued an order for the destruction of all the gambling machines in the country.
Gambling activities in Kenya have been blamed for the rising rates of poverty, crime and violence since most gamblers allegedly associate engage in illegal ways of extracting money to use for gambling.
Some have been accused of forgetting about their families since they spend all their time and resources in gambling.