CS MATIANG’I TO DEPORT 14 FOREIGNERS

The government through Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on Thursday, December 17, signed a deportation order that will see the individuals flown to their countries.

“The orders have been signed for 14 citizens, they will be deported. They are in the country illegally with involvement in gambling and other illegal activities,” ministry official said.
Those set to be deported are mainly from Eastern Europe with the local authorities maintaining their stay in the country was illegal due to lack of proper documentations.

Matiang’i recently intensified fight against gambling activities in the country after it emerged some investor with an alleged shady character was looking to resume operations.

The said investor allegedly plotted to make a comeback through the backdoor using another company in a bid to bypass hawk-eyed Kenya Revenue Authority.

Speaking at a memorial service of departed police officers on December 4, Matiang’i reiterated the government would not change its decision to ban individuals and companies linked to money laundering, tax evasion from operating gambling companies in the country.

“I want to assure the people of Kenya, we have been given responsibility to serve our people. We are not going to allow criminals, money launderers and all manner of shadowy characters to be doing these funny things around gambling,” he stated.

Close to 100 foreigner gamblers have been deported from Kenya in the last two years alone since the government heightened the crackdown.

In 2018, at least 40 were forcefully flown back to their home countries after they were found conducting illegal businesses in Kenya.

The foreigners, mostly from China and India, were picked from various estates across Nairobi and swiftly driven to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in readiness for their imminent deportation.

Another group of 17 individuals were also sent back to their countries in 2019.

Statistics show that Kenya is the third largest gambling market in Africa after South Africa and Nigeria – two nations who have a larger population.

The government will not change its decision to ban individuals and companies linked to money laundering, tax evasion from operating Gambling or Betting companies in the country. pic.twitter.com/p1xB7IJPe4

— Dr. Fred Matiang’i (@FredMatiangi) December 4, 2020

Sourced from Tuko