Kenya Gov’t to Shuts Down 23 TV Stations Over Betting Ad Violations
By; Weswa Ronnie
The Kenyan government, under President William Ruto’s administration, has today Monday ordered the immediate shutdown of 23 television stations, including the popular Kameme TV, due to violations of betting advertisement regulations.
This bold move comes after the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) accused the media houses of flouting a 30-day suspension on betting promotions
In an official letter addressed to the Director General of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), David Mugonyi, the BCLB highlighted that numerous TV stations continued airing unauthorized betting advertisements, disregarding the temporary ban enforced to regulate the industry.
Peter Mbugi, the BCLB director, emphasized that these stations not only promoted betting but also displayed illegal payment methods, including mobile money numbers like pay bill and till numbers.
We have been actively monitoring TV and radio broadcasts, and it is clear that several stations have been violating the suspension guidelines,” Mbugi said.
“The board urges the Communications Authority to take immediate action and enforce compliance as required by law.”
The 23 stations facing closure include Yahweh, JCDH, Swahili, Deliverance, Ngumbao, Aviation, Venus, Michezo, Kameme, and others.
The shutdown order reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that media outlets follow strict advertising standards, particularly when it comes to sensitive areas such as betting and gambling.
The BCLB has warned that further non-compliance will lead to additional sanctions.
“The board has determined that necessary measures must be taken against the listed stations, including their immediate shutdown,” Mbugi added.
This action signals the government’s zero-tolerance stance on violating gambling regulations and seeks to curb the rapid spread of betting advertisements, which have raised concerns about their impact on vulnerable audiences.
As the shutdowns take effect, media houses and other stakeholders in the advertising industry will be under increased scrutiny to comply with national broadcasting standards.
