Are police, betting officers abetting illegal gambling in Malindi?

By Paul Gitau

Illegal gamblers are making a killing in Malindi by fleecing unsuspecting residents thousands of shillings without action from police, Provincial Administration and Betting Control and Licensing Board officials.

At least six people have lost more than Sh100,000 in one week in the illegal games that have been going on for several months.

The illegal gamblers have set up a tent along the Mombasa-Malindi Highway where they display expensive electronic equipment, which they pretend to be auctioning, and when people gather, they encourage them to ‘bid’.

The allure of easy money is so enticing that the unsuspecting residents, including traders and students have found themselves trapped, with serious financial repercussions.

According to victims, the gamblers seem to be enjoying protection from police officers despite numerous complaints.

Some Provincial Administration officials and officers from the betting board have confirmed the presence of the gamblers, but Malindi OCPD Kiprono Langat denied knowledge of such incidents.

Last week, a businessman lost Sh40,000 while another lost Sh19,000. A student of Malindi High School also gave away Sh5,000 of his school fees.

Malindi District Officer Josephine Njenga last week warned the public against gambling, as the people pretending to be auctioneers were out to fleece them.

On Wednesday, a sobbing businessman who requested not to be named said he was conned Sh7,000 and reported to police, but the officers accompanying him to the spot where he had been conned told him to report to the Betting Control and Gaming Office.

Blame game

Officers at the betting office referred him back to the police. A betting control officer who sought anonymity confirmed existence of the conmen, adding cases of outright theft had been reported but blamed police for refusing to arrest the criminals. "Whenever we take police officers to arrest the criminals, the culprits are tipped off by some unscrupulous officers and our missions always fail," he said.