Category: News

  • MCHUANO WA KUKATA NA SHOKA

    MCHUANO WA KUKATA NA SHOKA

    Na: Dorothy Waweru
    dorothywaweru161706@daystar.ac.ke

    Picha: Wachezaji wakijikakamua uwanjani

    Sikukuu ya Moi chuoni Daystar ilisherehekewa kwa mbwembwe, vifijo na nderemo kwani katika uga wa “Santiago Barna Betheli” kama unavyojulikana na wacheza kandanda wengi, mchuano mkubwa ulikuwa ukiendelea. Mchuano huo uliandaliwa na wanafunzi wacheza kandanda ikiwemo; Walter Nalwa, Nicholas Atulo Snr, Cedrick na Dadiseh Olwaga ambao walinuia kujiburudisha katika mchezo huo wa miguu.

    Mchuano huo ulijumuisha timu sita zikiwemo: Blueboys, Rawa, Buffoons, Bomboclats, DCF handball na Fimbu. Timu hizi zilimenyana vilivyo ili kushinda zawadi murwa ambayo ilikuwa ni mbuzi mzima. Timu za Buffoons na Rawa ndizo zilifungua uga huo ambao ulikuwa na utelezi kufuatia mvua kubwa iliyokuwa imenyesha usiku wote.

    Timu ya Buffoons ilijikakamua katika dakika za kwanza huku Caleb Msando akiifungia timu hiyo bao la kwanza naye Nicholas Atulo Snr akifunga bao lao la pili. Timu ya Rawa ilijikakamua katika kipindi cha lala salama ambapo John Lemaiyan aliifungia Rawa bao lao la kwanza. Kitengo hicho cha kwanza cha mchezo kilipotamatika, Buffoons walikuwa wamefunga mabao mawili kwa moja.

    Mashabiki wa timu ya Buffoons walijaa uwanjani wakiimba nyimbo za ushindi kwani timu hiyo ingemchinja mbuzi kama zawadi ya ufanisi wao iwapo wangewashinda wenzao kwenye semifinali. Baada ya dakika chache za mapumziko, timu ya DCF handball ilijitosa uwanjani kumenyana na wachezaji wa timu ya Fimbu. Uzoefu mkuu katika mpira wa mikono wa timu ya DCF handball ulionekana kuwapa mkono uwanjani. Hata hivyo baada ya dakika kumi na tano Wallace kutoka timu ya Fimbu alifunga bao la kwanza. Baada ya dakika zingine tano, DCF handball ilisawazisha kupitia mchezaji Ephantus.

    Baada ya nusu wakati wa mchezo huo, timu ya Fimbu ilifunga bao lingine ambalo liliwawezesha kuibuka washindi katika kitengo hicho kwa mabao mawili kwa moja. Timu ya Blueboys vilevile ilichuana na timu ya Rawa huku wakifunga bao lao la kwanza ambalo lilikuwa la pekee katika mchezo huo hivi basi kuibuka washindi dhidi ya Rawa.

    Hata ingawa jua lilikuwa mtikati, wachezaji wa Bomboclat waliingia ugani kumenyana na DCF handball. Yasemekana kuwa wachezaji wa Bomboclat walikuwa wamekesha wakijitayarisha kwa mchuano huo wa kipekee. Katika dakika za kwanza, Bomboclat ilifunga bao lao la kwanza na baadaye kufunga la pili. DCF handball ilijizolea nunge hivi basi Bomboclat kuibuka washindi.

    Isitoshe, kabla ya semi fainali, Bomboclat ilichuana na Fimbu na wakailaza Fimbu bao moja kwa nunge. Timu zilizofuzu kwenye semi fainali ni Fimbu, Buffoons, Bomboclat na Blueboys. Mechi ya kwanza katika semi fainali ilikuwa kati ya Buffoons na Fimbu. Buffoons walilazwa bao moja la kufunga virago baada ya kucheza kwa ukakamavu mwingi sana.

    Nyuso za wachezaji wa timu ya Buffoons zilijaa simanzi kwani mbuzi alikuwa amewakwepa. Lisilobudi hubidi, Buffoons walidondolewa kwenye mchuano wakabaki kuwa mashabiki tu. “Ni uchungu sana mama kubeba mimba tumboni kwa miezi tisa halafu anampoteza mwana wake. Nasikitika sana kuwa tumeshindwa,” Duncan Olile, kipa wa timu ya Buffoons alisema.

    Timu za Bomboclat na Blueboys zilichuana kwenye mchezo wa pili katika semi fainali huku Bomboclat ikiibuka mshindi baada ya kuilaza Blueboys mabao mawili kwa nunge. Washindi wa semi fainali walikuwa Bomboclat na Fimbu. Wakati ukiwa saa kumi na mbili kamili, mchuano kati ya timu hizi mbili ulianza huku Bomboclat ikifunga mabao mawili mida ya dakika za kumi na tano za kwanza. Japo Fimbu iling’ang’ana kiudi na uvumba kujizolea angalau bao moja, jitihada zao hazikuzaa matunda kwani katika kipindi cha pili cha mchezo huo, Bomboclat ilifunga bao lingine. Bomboclat wakafunga mabao matatu kwa nunge.

    Mbwembwe na shamrashamra zilijaa uwanjani wakati ambapo wachezaji wa Bomboclat walipokabidhiwa mbuzi wao. Wachezaji waliachwa ugani wakisherehekea ushindi wao huku mashabiki wakiungana nao kushangilia ushindi wao.

  • KIVUKIO CHA KIFO

    KIVUKIO CHA KIFO

    Na: Dorothy Waweru
    dorothywaweru161706@daystar.ac.ke

    Picha kwa hisani ya: The Star

    Ni afueni kwa wakenya wote na haswa familia yake Bi. Mariam Kighenda kwa kutolewa katika hindi la Victoria.

    Shughuli hii iliyochukua siku kumi na tatu, imezifanya nyoyo nyingi sasa kupata na utulivu. Aila ya Bi. Mariam sasa inauhuru wa kuzipumzisha mili ya wapenda wao ambao wamesumbuka usiku kucha. Japo bado uchungu upo, tunamwomba Mwenyezi Mungu aweze kuilaza roho zao pahala pema peponi.

    Hata hivyo, Shirika la Kenya Ferry limekabiliwa na mashtaka chungu nzima kufuatia ajali iliyotokea katika kivuko cha Likoni. Ajali hiyo ilihusisha kutumbukia kwa gari moja kwenye bahari hindi mnamo Septemba ishirini na tisa mida ya saa kumi na mbili. Gari hilo lilikuwa na abiria wawili, Bi. Mariam Kighenda na mwanawe Amanda Mutheu.

    Yasemekana wawili hawa walikuwa wametoka kuzuru shamba katika kaunti ya Kwale na walikuwa wakirejea nyumbani walipopatana na kifo chao.
    Matukio yaliyojiri baadaye yanaashiria utepetevu mkuu wa shirika la Kenya Ferry katika kutekeleza majukumu yao ya kuhakikisha usalama wa wasafiri.

    Baada ya ajali hiyo kutokea siku ya Jumatatu tarehe thelathini Septemba, Kenya Ferry kupitia mtandao wa kijamii wa twitter ilitangaza kuwa watahakikisha kuna meli nne katika kivukio cha Likoni.

    Wakenya kupitia mtandao huo walituma jumbe zilizosheheni kughadhabishwa kwa usemi wa Kenya Ferry kwani la muhimu lilikuwa kuomba msamaha kwa familia ya walioadhirika badala ya kuwaambia wananchi kuwa feri nne zitatutumika kuwasafirisha abiria hapo likoni.

    Ni jambo la kukereketa maini kugundua kwamba shirika la feri halina mikakati bomba inayowahakikishia abiria usalama wao hasa wakati kuna tukio kama hilo linalohatarisha maisha yao.

    Uchunguzi ambao unaendelea kufanywa umebaini kwamba shirika la feri la humu nchini halina wapiga mbizi ambao wanasafiri katika feri mchana na usiku bali wanawategemea wapiga mbizi katika shirika la Kenya Ports Authority na jeshi la baharini humu nchini.

    Uhai wa mama Amanda na mwanawe haungekatizwa ghafla iwapo shirika la Kenya Ferry lingekuwa na wapiga mbizi katika chombo hicho wakati wa mkasa huo. Wapiga mbizi wangelikuwepo wangefanya hima kuwaokoa abiria hawa punde tu gari lao lilipoanza kuzama.

    Msemaji wa serikali Col Rtd, Cyrus Oguna alipokuwa akitoa taarifa aliwaambia wanahabari kuwa gari lilichukua chini ya dakika moja unusu kuzama kwa hivyo kulikuwa na muda tosha wa kuwaokoa wasafiri hawa.

    Sababu za kucheleweshwa kwa kutolewa kwa miili ya walioaga ni kuwa kuna meli zinazopita baharini kupitia bandari ya Mombasa kufanya biashara ambayo inailetea kaunti ya Mombasa fedha nyingi. Tunaelewa kwamba tukikatiza usafiri wa meli baharini uchumi wa Mombasa utaadhirika pakubwa.

    Sababu ya pili ni giza kali ambayo imeshuhudiwa baharini hivyo wapiga mbizi wanatatizika sana. Tatu ni mawimbi makali yanayovuma baharini hivyo shughuli za uokoaji zinagonga mwamba wakati huo hadi mawimbi yatulie. Lakini ile sababu muhimu zaidi ni kuhakikisha kuwa usalama wa wapiga mbizi na wale wote wanaohusika katika shughuli za uokoaji unadumishwa,” haya yalikuwa maoni ya msemaji wa serikali Col Rtd.Cyrus Oguna.

    Shirika la Kenya Ferry limeshuhudia visa kama hivi vya ajali bali ni hatua chache sasa zimechukuliwa kuimarisha utendakazi wao. Wasafiri hawana uhakika wa usalama wao kwani janga kama hili linaweza kutokea bila usaidizi wowote. Ni bayana kuwa uwepo wa kuwa tayari kukabiliana na mikasa ya baharini ni jambo linalofaa kutiliwa mkazo.

    Feri zote zinafaa kuwa na vyombo vya kuhakikisha usalama wa wasafiri na magari pia. Sheria mpya zinafaa kubuniwa ili kuwe na mpangilio katika feri hizi. Hakuna mtu ambaye anafaa kupoteza maisha yake kupitia kisa cha kuhuzunisha kama hiki.

    Picha kwa hisani ya: citizentv.co.ke

  • MWANARIADHA ELIUD KIPCHOGE  AMEWEKA REKODI DUNIANI

    MWANARIADHA ELIUD KIPCHOGE AMEWEKA REKODI DUNIANI

    Na Wangu Kanuri
    kanuriwangu@gmail.com

    Picha kwa hisani ya: Reuters

    Oktoba 12 mwaka wa 2019 ni siku ambayo daima itakuwa kumbukumbu kwani mwanariadha Eliud Kipchoge amevunja rekodi aliyokuwa amejiwekea ya kukimbia kwa kilomita arubaini na mbili kwa muda wa saa moja na dakika hamsini na tisa.

    Isitoshe jina lake limeandikwa katika kitabu cha rekodi cha dunia cha Guiness. Eliud aliyekuwa amejibidisha na kuamini kuwa ataweka historia duniani, aliwafanya wakenya wengi kujumuika kumtizama akivunja rekodi hii iliyofahamika kama INEOS 159.

    Rais Kenyatta aliwaongoza wakenya katika kumhimiza Kipchoge kulenga lengo lake huku naibu wake mheshimiwa Ruto na bibiye wakisafiri Vienna kumpa mkono anapokimbia.

    Kusudio kuu lake Kipchoge lilikuwa kuonyesha kuwa hakuna pingamizi lolote iwapo mtu anataka kuwa wa kwanza katika lolote. Isitoshe, alisisitiza kuwa hashindani na wengine bali anashindana na muda na kuweka historia katika dunia.

    Shindano hili liliokuwa likitizamwa moja kwa moja katika mitandao, limewafunza watu kuwa; shindano letu si dhidi ya marafiki, maadui ama wenzetu bali dhidi ya muda. Pili, mbio yetu yapaswa kuwa dhidi ya lengo tulizojiwekea na mwishowe mbio yetu ni katika tunayonuia kulenga.

    Eliud Kipchoge vilevile amesema kuwa alikuwa mwenye tumbo joto baada ya kupokea simu kadha wa kadha kutoka viongozi wakuu katika serikali ya Kenya ikiwemo rais Kenyatta. Hata hivyo, bado alishikilia msimamo wake dhidi ya kuweka rekodi ya wanariadha duniani.

    Akizungumza baada ya shindano hilo, Kipchoge amesema kuwa imemchukua mwanadamu miaka sitini na tano kuweka historia katika mbio za dunia kwa hivyo yeye amejazwa na furaha ghaya kuweza kuifufua historia hii. Mwenyekiti wa INEOS bwana Jim Ratcliffe alisema kuwa hakuamini vile Kipchoge alikimbia mtawalia mbio ya kwanza kwa muda wa chini ya saa moja.

    Picha kwa hisani ya: New York Post
  • DAYSTAR HEALTH AWARNESS WEEK

    DAYSTAR HEALTH AWARNESS WEEK

    The Daystar Compassion and Care Centre (DCCC) Health Awareness week which took place this October as from 7th to the 10th saw many students and staff show up to get tested for free.

    The Health Awareness week is a norm that takes place every once a semester for a week at Athi River and Nairobi campus. They take place around the same time in both campuses.

    For the Athi River campus, DCCC outsourced health practitioners from The Nairobi Women’s Hospital, Kitengela branch. Students showed up in numbers to get tested and know their health status.

    There were different stalls for different health departments including; optical, dental, general physician, height and weight, BMI, pressure and sugar/ diabetes. HIV/AIDS testing and counseling was also available for students.

    A law in Kenya was passed to make testing and counselling for HIV a private matter and a personal decision. Therefore the stall for HIV testing had to be secluded in a private space where nobody could eavesdrop or see the counselor or the patient. It took place in the DCCC offices.

    Students turned up in large numbers to test for HIV after the seclusion on the testing center. This is due to the fact that the testing center was secluded and therefore the privacy encouraged students to get tested.

    This was a strategic move by DCCC since over the years the HIV testing has always been done in the open and most of the time students did not show up due to fear and embarrassment.

    A student heading for check up at the tents


    Click here to find photos from the health awareness week and DC3 chapel

  • PHOTO STORY: DC3 HEALTH WEEK AND CHAPEL

    PHOTO STORY: DC3 HEALTH WEEK AND CHAPEL

    From 7th to 11th October Daystar Compassion and Care Centre, hosted health week in Athi River Campus.

    Find photos from the health week and the DC3 chapel below.

    Photos courtesy of: Joseph Gichari

    Josephndungo55@gmail.com

    Click here to read about the Health Awareness week

  • ETHIOPIAN PRIME MINISTER WINS THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FOR HIS BORDER PEACE DEAL WITH ERITREA

    ETHIOPIAN PRIME MINISTER WINS THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FOR HIS BORDER PEACE DEAL WITH ERITREA

    By: Valyne Laibuta

    vklaibuta@gmail.com

    Thumbnail image courtesy of: The Telegraph

    Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed. Photo courtesy of: KTVQ.com

    Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for mending relations with Eritrea, Ethiopia’s long-standing rival.

    Abiy was deserving of this award “in particular, for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict neighboring Eritrea” said Brett Reiss-Anderson, Chair of the Nobel committee, who decides which individual is deserving of the phenomenal award. 

    According to the Washington Post, the peace deal between Abiy and his Eritrean counterpart, Isaias Afwerki, formally ended a 20-year-old military standoff that led to Eritrea’s secession in 1993. 100,000 people lost their lives in the standoff that occurred between 1998-2003. The border dispute erupted into a full-blown war between the two neighboring nations.

    Not only has he been able to mend ties with Eritrea, but the 43-year-old former intelligence officer has ushered a new era of peace and hope in Ethiopia that was riddled with authoritarian regimes. In this new era he has:

    • Released thousands of political prisoners
    • Lifted bans of various political organizations
    • Prosecuted former officials accused of torture
    • Vowed to move Ethiopia into its first free, multi-party elections in 2020

    Abiy Ahmed is the third sitting head of government from Africa that has won the lucrative award. Previous African heads of states that have won the Nobel Peace Prize are Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former president of Liberia and F.W. de Klerk who won it jointly with Nelson Mandela in 1993 as South Africa transitioned from apartheid. 

    Last year the award was awarded jointly to 64-year-old Dennis Mukwege, a Congolese doctor who treated thousands of women who had been raped or sexually assaulted as a result of conflict in Congo, and 26-year-old Nadia Murad, who advocated for the support and freeing of Yazidi women who had captured and held as sex slaves by the Islamic State (IS).

  • SUPPORT NEEDED IN UGANDA FOR COMMUNITIES THAT ARE HOSTING REFUGEES

    SUPPORT NEEDED IN UGANDA FOR COMMUNITIES THAT ARE HOSTING REFUGEES

    By Gladys Sheila
    Gladyshila52@gmail.com

    Thumbnail image courtesy of: wikipedia

    Uganda has been recorded as the country hosting the largest number of refugees in Africa with 1.3 million refugees. It is also the third largest country in the world.

    The Ugandan approach towards the refugees has been termed as a good lead especially to the other host countries. According to a new report released by the World Bank Group says that as much these countries are supporting refugees, there is need to improve the social and economic status of the countries hosting the refugees and refugees too.

    According to the report given World Bank Group, Uganda has been progressing on helping the refugees, whereby the refugees’ policies with support from humanitarian partners have managed to give equal social services access as the host where sometimes they enjoy more of the services than the host communities.

    “The people of Uganda have been incredibly generous towards refugees, and this generosity of the host communities should be recognized by supporting them to have a higher quality of life. This study provides an evidence-based understanding of the living conditions of both refugees and hosts, which we expect will inform policy and programming for the national refugee response,” Tony Thompson, World Bank Country Manager for Uganda said.

    The report done by World Bank Group shows that about 95 percent of refugees and 66 percent of the host have access to improved water but the access to electricity for both is 50 percent. However, both can access health facilities as well as improved sanitation, although this is made easier by the Non-Governmental Organization. The report also shows that refugees remarkably contribute to the local economy, by purchasing goods and services in the local markets and operating businesses.

    However, both can access health facilities as well as improved sanitation, although this is made easier by the Non-Governmental Organization. The report also shows that refugees remarkably contribute to the local economy, by purchasing goods and services in the local markets and operating businesses.

    However, 48 percent of refugees live in poverty this is because more than 50 percent depend on humanitarian support, due to their inability to generate income because they do not have sills or are not taken through trainings.

    The report given recommendations on some measures to be taken in order to improve self-support of refugees and also communities that are hosting them improve their living conditions, supporting Ugandan economy as well. This will be achieved by increasing the agricultural productivity by providing inputs as well as creating job opportunities.

    Photo courtesy of: dispatch.ug

  • UONGOZI UPYA KATIKA KLABU YA DAYSTAR COMPASSION AND CARE CENTER

    UONGOZI UPYA KATIKA KLABU YA DAYSTAR COMPASSION AND CARE CENTER

    Na Gladys Sheila
    gladyshila52@gmail.com

    Picha kwa hisani ya: Joseph Gichari

    Josephndungo55@gmail.com

    Klabu ya Daystar Compassion and Care Center (DCCC) almarufu DC3 iliyoko katika chuo kikuu cha Daystar ilisherehekea uongozi upya. DC3, ni klabu ambayo imekuwepo tangu mwaka wa (2013) huku lengo lake kuu likiwa kufahamisha wanadaystar kuhusu maswala ya afya, kuwasaidia kisaikolojia wanafunzi, wahadhiri, wafanyakazi na jamii ya Daystar kwa ujumla. Klabu hii imekuwa chini ya uongozi wa Bi.Susan Botto ambaye ndiye mratibu wake.

    Siku hii ya ndovu kumla mwanawe, iliyoadhimishwa katika chapeli iliwaorodhesha viongozi wake wa mwaka wa 2019-2020 huku waliowatangulia wakiwakabidhi faili za utendakazi wao. Siku hiyo ya aina yake ilianzishwa kwa tenzi za kumsifu na kumuabudu Mungu, hafla iliyoongozwa na kwaya ya Imela katika chuo kikuu cha Daystar. Hali kadhalika, wanafunzi, wahadhiri na wafanyakazi chuoni Daystar walipokea pipi huku ikiwa kiishara kuwa wasiokwenye ndoa wajihifadhi mpaka wakati wa kufunga ndoa.

    Kilele cha hafla hii ni ufahamu dhabiti wa klabu hicho na wanajopo ambao walikuwa Bi. Emmah Nguli na Bwana Allan Ball ambao ni washauri wa maswala ya saikolojia.

    Matayarisho ya siku hii isitoshe hung’oa habta wiki ikianza huku mada kuu ikiwa kuwahamasisha wanadaystar kufahamu afya zao. DC3 hukakisha kuna vitengo mbalimbali ambavyo vyaweza kuwasaidia kutambua hali zao za kiafya ikiwa upimaji wa ongoezeko au upungufu wa sukari mwilini, uchunguzi wa saratani, kuangaliwa meno na upimaji wa ukimwi. Ukabidhishaji wa nyara kutoka kwa naibu wa msimamizi mkuu wa wanafunzi Bi. Irene Kimani.

    Waliotuzwa walikuwa:
    1. David Obong’o- Rais
    2. Gladys Sheila- Naibu wa Rais
    3. Wilbert Kiprop- Katibu
    4. Kevin Korir- Mweka Hazina
    5. Maureen Minus- Mkurungezi wa Halfa
    6. Chris Waweru- Msaidizi wa Vikundi vya Msaada

    Erick Spira, rais anayeshika timu hiyo mpya mkono, aliwapongeza waliomtangulia na kuwahamasisha wanafunzi kuridhika kwa kasoro wanazojua wanazo kwani zina manufaa maishani. Kwa kuwa chanzo cha jambo ni mwisho wa kingine, timu hiyo ilijumuika na kukata keki ya kusherehekea uongozi upya na uliopita katika ofisi zao za DCCC.

    Kweli sote kama wanafunzi, wahadhiri na wafanyakazi twawatakia viongozi hao kila la heri wanapoongoza wanadaystar.

  • KENYATTA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS UNREST

    KENYATTA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS UNREST

    By Debbie Gitau

    debbiemumbi@gmail.com

    Images sourced from Twitter

    Kenyatta University-Main Campus students hold protests today over welfare issues and seek the removal of their Vice Chancellor Paul Wainaina.

     

    The Kenyatta University Students Association issued a memo and stated some of their grievances to be:

    1. The extension of the deadline of the fee payment is minimal.
    2. The administration forcefully directing students in Nyayo to use the flyover.
    3. The suspension of the both students and student leaders on petty basis.
    4. Supplementary fee which is free in other universities, K.U charges 2,500 shillings that applies to Nursing, Law, Medicine and Pharmacy students.
    5. Hiking of graduation fee from 3,500 to 6,000 without KUSA being informed.
    6. Replacement of student I.D cards despite payments being done.

     

    The students closed the Thika road super highway in protest. Heavy law enforcement was employed to secure the safety of the school resources and to open up the closed Thika Road super highway.

     

    “They should listen to our concerns about the extension deadline and supplementary fees,” says Anne Kaloki, a Nursing student in Kenyatta University.IMG_20191007_190317

    Screenshot_2019-10-07-18-53-46
    Kenyatta University students gathered outside the University gates

    K.U unrest 5
    Kenyatta University Students running from Security Forces

  • GOODBYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE?

    GOODBYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE?

    By: Sumaya Hussein

    husseinsumaya1@gmail.com

    The Closure of Sportpesa and Betin in Kenya

     

    The closure of SportPesa and Betin in Kenya announced on Saturday the 28th of September 2019. The shutdown of operations by these two giant betting companies was seen through an internal memo circulated to the staff. 

     

    The internal memo stated that staff from these two companies will be laid off their duties by the end of September 2019. The reason behind this was said to be the hostile environment provided by the Kenyan government which imposed a 20% tax on all wins, affecting their profitability. This came as a shocker for most Kenyans due to the impact these firms have brought to the country.

     

    Firstly, it is important to mention some of the positive things these companies have contributed to the economy of Kenya. Sportpesa and Betin were responsible for supporting local sports teams through sponsorships. These teams include the National team, Harambee Stars, which was supported in the recent Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) by Betin, Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards and the Kenya Premier League altogether. 

     

    It was mentioned by the Football Kenya Federation manager, Nick Mwendwa, that the companies had sponsored local football with up to Ksh 600 million. The departure of these companies leaves the teams stranded not to mention sources tell us that players from teams of Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards have not been paid in over 2 months. The Kenya Premier League are also left without a sponsor and have no funds to pay the referees.

     

    One of the people who were openly happy about the closure of the betting firms was MP Kanini Kega. He mentioned that the country should be careful about the type of investors it allows into the economy. He also said that the firms caused addiction and led youth into looking for riches and easy money through gambling instead of hard work. 

     

    Kenyans took to twitter to address this matter. Some were very bitter, saying how the government should provide jobs for youth and support to the local sports teams instead. However, some shared the same opinion with MP Kega about betting being a disease and Kenyans were better off without it. 

     

    Looking at things from a different perspective, Kenya is ranked the third-largest gambling market in Africa behind South Africa and Nigeria. A study conducted by Amani Mwadime showed that approximately 2 million people in Nairobi alone participate in online betting. It has become a full-time occupation for some people and those who work find themselves betting with their colleagues at tea break, lunch hour, evenings and during the nights. Moreover, students spend more time betting than they do with their academics. 

     

    Those who have experience in it know that one is likely to lose more than he/she will gain. The effects of losing itself are not very pretty. It makes youth go broke, fall into depression and even become suicidal. Furthermore, according to social anthropologists, it is among the list of things known to cause domestic violence. 

     

    As much as it has brought some good, betting also has its disadvantages which bring a strain to the growth and economy of a country. It is therefore actually safe to say goodbye and good riddance to Sportpesa and Betin.