The separate suits, filed before the High Court and the Employment and Labour Relations Court<\/strong>, challenge the legality of Karimi’s appointment as the inaugural director general of the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA)<\/strong>, created under the Gambling Control Act 2025. The High Court petition argues that his previous role as chief executive of the betting operator mCHEZA breached a provision barring anyone who has been a director, employee or shareholder of a gambling company from the position unless they left the company at least five years earlier. The petitioners also contend that he lacked the minimum 10 years of senior management experience the Gambling Control Act<\/strong> requires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Karimi assumed office in February 2026 after the GRA was established to replace the former Betting Control and Licensing Board <\/strong>as part of Kenya\u2019s gambling sector reforms. His appointment, however, has remained the subject of legal challenges since it was announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to court documents, one petitioner alleges that Karimi\u2019s employment history does not satisfy the experience threshold set out in law. The petition also claims the recruitment process failed to comply with statutory standards governing appointments to public office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the second case, the petitioner questions whether the recruitment panel lawfully recommended Karimi for the position. He seeks to have the appointment declared invalid and requests a fresh recruitment process if the court finds the selection was unlawful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Karimi has opposed both petitions, maintaining that he meets the legal qualifications for the role and that his appointment complied with the relevant provisions of the law. He has asked the courts to dismiss the cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The petitions come at a pivotal time for the GRA, which is overseeing the rollout of Kenya\u2019s reformed gambling regulatory regime. Analysts say the outcome of the proceedings could influence not only the regulator\u2019s leadership but also public confidence in the governance of the country\u2019s gambling sector.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/06\/photo-1710518305544-86a50619cc52-300x200.jpg\")
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