Kenya opens search for new gambling regulator chief executive
The appointee will be responsible for overseeing the Authority’s day-to-day operations and providing strategic leadership for the regulation of the country’s gambling sector.
Kenya.- Kenya’s Gambling Regulatory Authority has opened applications for the position of Director General and Chief Executive Officer. According to the vacancy notice issued on January 23, the appointee will be responsible for overseeing the Authority’s day-to-day operations and providing strategic leadership for the regulation of the country’s gambling sector.
The role includes leading policy development, overseeing staff, managing budgets and implementing board decisions. The successful candidate will also focus on strengthening internal systems and advancing the Authority’s strategic objectives. The appointment is for a three-year term, renewable once subject to performance, with remuneration determined by the Board in consultation with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
Applicants must be Kenyan citizens, hold a degree from a recognised university, and have at least 1ten years’ experience in senior management roles. They must also meet constitutional integrity requirements. Applications close on February 6 at 5:00pm, with submissions to be made in sealed envelopes delivered to the Authority’s Nairobi offices.
The recruitment follows the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority under the Gambling Control Act of 2025, which came into force in October 2025. The Act updated the former Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act to address online and remote gambling. The Authority is now responsible for licensing, shutting down illegal operations and promoting responsible gambling practices.
Peter Mbugi, who previously headed the Betting Control and Licensing Board, currently serves as the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer. The new appointment is expected to provide fresh leadership as the Authority continues to settle into its expanded mandate.
