Thursday, August 28, 2014

Governor alleges favouritism in handling of gambling row

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero. Mr Kidero has written to the Transitional Authority (TA) complaining of bias in the handling of a dispute between City County and the Association of Gaming Operators, Kenya. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP 
By NATION CORRESPONDENT
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Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has written to the Transitional Authority (TA) complaining of bias in the handling of a dispute between City County and the Association of Gaming Operators, Kenya.
Nairobi County and betting industry players are locked in a dispute over a notice by the county government to renew licences by Saturday, as per the county Betting and Lotteries law.
Gaming industries insist they renewed licences in February and say they will ignore the August 10 deadline set by the county. But Dr Kidero has vowed to go forward and effect the law despite attempts by TA to advice on the way forward, through a report by an Interagency Technical Committee that met early last month.
A draft report by the committee has already been rejected by Nairobi County on grounds that it “did not accurately feature what was deliberated and agreed upon” and City Hall has insisted it will start levying the fees.
“In the premises, we shall proceed to implement the Nairobi City County Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act and we shall inform the public accordingly,” Dr Kidero’s letter read.
UNDUE INVOLVEMENT
Dr Kidero accused TA of giving the gaming association lobby group undue involvement that amounted to conflict of interest, given that the authority was letting them decide who would regulate the industry.
“The Nairobi City County is concerned that the Association of Gaming Operators, Kenya are unduly involved in the process of determining the jurisdictional issue that should be a matter between the two levels of government,” Dr Kidero said.

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