CAK gives Kenyan media ultimatum to tone down betting content
Kenya.- The Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) has ordered all radio and television stations to reduce betting, gambling and lottery content or risk losing their broadcasting licence.
In a letter dated April 23, 2025, and signed by David Mugonyi, the director general and chief executive officer of CAK, the regulator warned that stations that do not follow the directive in 14 days from the aforementioned date could lose their broadcasting licence.
The authority said: “The purpose of this letter is, therefore, to notify all broadcasters to remedy these contraventions within 14 days from the date of this letter and adhere to the provisions in the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998: Licence Conditions and Programming Code.”
The directive comes as pressure mounts on the Kenyan government and other state regulatory authorities to address the rising prevalence of problem gambling among young people in the country.
The growing public concern has led to operators implementing new safeguards in the gambling industry. Kenya’s health ministry also recently launched a rapid response team to deal with gambling addiction.
In a recent legislative session, the National Assembly passed an amendment that empowered the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) to regulate betting operators.
Now, the spotlight is on the media to support these efforts, especially after a former radio host raised concerns about the misleading tactics used in betting ads on Kenyan radio and TV stations.
According to the CAK, there has been a notable increase in consumer complaints about betting content on TV and radio. The watchdog noted that many radio and TV stations have exceeded their allowed limits on betting ads, and these excesses will no longer be tolerated.
The CAK warns media owners to prioritise responsible programming in line with their public interest obligations or face legal consequences.
Mugonyi said: “The Authority will take enforcement action against a broadcaster who fails to remedy these contraventions in line with Section 83A (1) of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998; and/or revoke the licence as per sections 46J (a) and (b) of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998.”
