The Growing Menace of Gambling Addiction Among Kenyan Youth
Kenya’s gambling industry has experienced a rapid rise over the past decade, with online sports betting becoming a particularly pervasive issue. The easy accessibility of online betting platforms and the aggressive marketing strategies employed by betting companies have led to a surge in gambling addiction, particularly among the youth. This has intertwined gambling with sports in a way that is now jeopardizing the future of many young players, and by extension, the integrity of the sports themselves.
As the problem grows, so does the need for effective interventions. The “Tahadhari Athari Za Kamari” campaign, initiated by the Gaming Awareness Society of Kenya, has been a crucial force in addressing this issue. In solidarity with International Youth Week, August 2024, the campaign reached two critical low-income areas—Githurai and Kibera—where gambling has taken a heavy toll on the youth, especially those involved in local football teams. The aim was to educate and raise awareness about the risks of gambling, promote healthier alternatives, and build a network of support within the communities.
The Githurai Event 04/08/2024: Empowering a Vulnerable Community
Githurai, located on the outskirts of Nairobi, is an area predominantly populated by low-income families. The youth in Githurai face numerous challenges, including unemployment, limited access to education, and exposure to negative influences, with gambling being one of the most significant. The community has seen a rise in betting shops. Since the majority also have access to smartphones, online gambling advertisements are rampant, making it all too easy for young people to fall into the gambling trap. In this context, the Tahadhari Athari Za Kamari campaign’s intervention in Githurai was both timely and necessary.
The event in Githurai was held on a weekend, strategically planned to ensure maximum attendance from the local youth. This was at Githurai 44 Sports ground. The turnout was impressive, with over 120 participants, primarily young men aged between 18 and 26 years, attending the session. Among them were members of local football teams, including Real Maono FC, Green Army and Githurai All-Stars.
Speakers and Testimonials
The event began with a general introduction to the harmful effects of gambling by Nelson Bwire, the Project Lead, followed by personal testimonials from individuals who had battled gambling addiction. These testimonials were particularly impactful, providing real-life examples of how gambling can derail promising sports careers and destroy personal lives.
One of the most notable speakers was Mwangi (not his real name), a former professional football player and a coach whose career was cut short due to gambling addiction. He shared his journey from being a rising star in Kenyan football to losing everything due to his betting habits. His story resonated deeply with the audience, many of whom were aspiring footballers themselves.
“I had everything going for me—talent, opportunities, and support from my community. But I threw it all away because of gambling,” Mwangi recounted. “It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of betting, especially when you’re surrounded by people who make it seem like an easy way to make money. But in reality, it’s a trap. I lost my career, my savings, and almost my life. I don’t want to see any of you go down the same path.”
The event also featured counsellors and mental health professionals who provided guidance on recognizing the signs of gambling addiction and offered resources for those seeking help. The counsellors emphasized the importance of community support in combating gambling and encouraged attendees to look out for one another.
Lessons Learned and Challenges
One of the key lessons learned from the Githurai event was the importance of personal testimonials in driving the message home. The audience was highly receptive to hearing from someone who had been in their shoes, and it reinforced the idea that gambling is not just a harmless pastime but a serious issue that can have devastating consequences.
However, the event also highlighted some challenges. While the turnout was good, it became evident that some attendees were skeptical about the information being presented. The normalization of gambling in their daily lives, coupled with the aggressive marketing from betting companies, made it difficult for some to fully grasp the potential dangers. This underscores the need for ongoing education and follow-up initiatives to reinforce the message.
The Kibera Ngong Road Event (07/08/2024): Focusing on One-on-One Interactions
The second event took place at Ligi Ndogo Grounds on Ngong Road, another area where gambling is deeply embedded in the local sports culture. The location was chosen due to its significance as a hub for young athletes, many of whom have ambitions of turning professional. However, these dreams are often jeopardized by the lure of gambling, which promises quick financial gains but often leads to debt, addiction, and broken careers.
The Ngong Road event had a slightly different structure, emphasising one-on-one interactions between the organizers and participants. The attendance was smaller, with about 70 young men participating, including players from Ligi Ndogo FC, Mt. Kenya FC, and their spectators. This smaller group allowed for more personalized discussions, where attendees could openly share their thoughts and concerns about gambling.
The event kicked off with a football tournament, which served as an icebreaker and a way to engage the youth in a positive, healthy activity. After the matches, our team a series of discussions focused on the risks of gambling, particularly in the context of sports. The interactive sessions were designed to challenge the notion that sports and gambling must go hand in hand, a prevalent belief among many young athletes.
Speakers and Testimonials
One of the speakers at the Ngong Road event was Weldon Koros, A member of the Tahadhari Athari Za Kamari campaign. Weldon emphasized the long-term consequences of gambling on young athletes’ careers and lives.
“Gambling might seem like an easy way to make money, but it’s a dangerous illusion,” Weldon warned. “The truth is, betting is designed for you to lose in the longrun. The more you bet, the more you lose, and before you know it, you’re in debt, your performance on the pitch suffers, and your dreams of going professional fade away.”
The one-on-one interactions were particularly impactful, allowing our team to address individual concerns, and provide tailored advice and support tools like gambling-blocking software. Many of the participants expressed surprise at the extent of the risks associated with gambling, particularly the links to match-fixing and the potential for career-ending consequences. A few players felt safe to approach us on the sidelines and narrate how gambling had devastated their lives. Most notable was a talented player who for the first time came clean about how gambling addiction had forced him to drop out of the University of Nairobi two years ago. The hidden addiction still consumes him up to now as everything he makes from his art business is quickly lost in gambling websites. He is deeply in debt and can’t see a way out. In this case, we have started a long journey of a layered approach by installing gambling-blocking software on his device and linking him up with our mental health professional for help. We are in the process of engaging the university to allow him back and offer the much-needed assistance.
Lessons Learned and Challenges
The Ngong Road event underscored the effectiveness of smaller, more intimate gatherings where participants feel comfortable sharing their experiences and asking questions. The personalized approach allowed the organizers to connect with the youth on a deeper level, making the discussions more meaningful and impactful.
However, a significant challenge was the pervasive belief that gambling is an integral part of sports culture. Many young athletes view betting as a harmless way to enhance their sports-watching experience or as a potential source of income. Changing this mindset requires a sustained effort, with continuous education and support from the community and sports industry stakeholders.
A Call to Action
The Tahadhari Athari Za Kamari campaign is making significant strides in the fight against gambling addiction in Kenya, particularly among young people. These events have shown that with the right approach—combining education, personal testimonials, and community engagement—we can begin to change the narrative around gambling and sports. However, the journey is far from over. Continuous efforts are needed to educate, support, and protect our youth from the dangers of gambling.
As we move forward, it’s crucial that all stakeholders, from community leaders to sports organizations and policymakers, come together to address this issue. The future of our sports and the well-being of our youth depend on it.
A huge thank you to our partners USAID, YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa, and Kenyatta University through the Yali Transformation Fund for making these events possible and for helping us reach even more young people. Together, we’re making strides in protecting our youth and preserving the true spirit of sports! 🏆
Article By Nelson Bwire.
Project Lead
Tahadhari Athari Za Kamari
Gamawareness254