The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has launched a swift crackdown on broadcasters airing illegal gambling promotions, following NTV Kenya’s explosive exposé, Sacred Swindle: Inside the Gospel of Greed on Kenya’s Airwaves, aired on May 25, 2025. The investigative report uncovered how religious TV stations, including Yahweh Media Services, exploited vulnerable Kenyans with rigged prize competitions disguised as faith-based initiatives, prompting public outrage and regulatory action.
NTV’s Exposé Shocks Kenya: Fake Jackpots and Scripted Winners
NTV’s Sacred Swindle, led by reporters Zeynab Ismail and Karanja Ibrahim, exposed a network of religious broadcasters running fraudulent gambling promotions. These stations lured viewers with promises of cash prizes—ranging from KSh 50,000 to KSh 200,000—for sending small amounts like KSh 10 via M-Pesa to enter raffles. The catch? The promotions were rigged, with staged winners and scripted phone calls designed to fleece desperate Kenyans.
One pastor admitted to NTV that their station earned up to KSh 700,000 daily from these schemes, exploiting the trust of religious viewers. The exposé sparked a firestorm on social media, with Kenyans on X calling out the “greedy pastors” (@GenzPrince, May 25, 2025) and demanding accountability from regulators like the CA and the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB). Posts like “This is why we need stricter laws on TV gambling ads” (@ItsNguiNzuve, May 26, 2025) went viral, amplifying public frustration.
CA’s Response: Fines, Ultimatums, and a Call for Accountability
The CA wasted no time responding to the exposé, issuing a press release on May 26, 2025, outlining its efforts to curb unlicensed gambling promotions. Here’s what the authority has done:
- Early Detection: Before the NTV exposé, the CA identified violations by 33 broadcasters, including Yahweh Media Services, through routine license monitoring. On March 13, 2025, it issued Notices of Violation to these stations for airing illegal gambling content.
- Industry-Wide Ban: On April 23, 2025, the CA ordered all broadcasters to stop gambling-related ads, followed by a BCLB directive on April 29, 2025, suspending all gambling advertisements for 30 days.
- Crackdown on Defiant Stations: A May 2025 review found some broadcasters ignoring the ban. The CA slapped eight non-compliant stations with KSh 500,000 fines each and issued a 12-hour ultimatum to cease illegal broadcasts or face license revocation, as allowed under Section 83A of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998.
- Praise for NTV: The CA commended NTV’s investigative journalism for exposing public interest issues, pledging to work with media to protect consumers.
“We are committed to promoting responsible broadcasting and protecting Kenyans from exploitative practices,” the CA stated, emphasizing broadcasters’ duty to uphold the rule of law.
The Rules: What Broadcasters Should Know
Kenya’s broadcasting and gambling sectors are governed by strict regulations, which the rogue stations clearly violated. Key laws include:
- Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998: Gives the CA power to fine or revoke licenses of non-compliant broadcasters.
- Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act (Cap 131): Requires gambling promotions to be licensed by the BCLB.
- Programming Code: Bans gambling ads during watershed hours (5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) to protect minors and vulnerable audiences.
- Films and Stage Plays Act (Cap 222): Mandates that all gambling ads obtain a filming license from the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB).
The CA’s collaboration with the BCLB and KFCB reflects a multi-agency effort to clamp down on illegal promotions, but the defiance of some broadcasters shows enforcement challenges remain.
Why It Matters: The Bigger Picture
The Sacred Swindle exposé and the CA’s response have sent shockwaves through Kenya’s media and gambling industries, with significant implications:
For Broadcasters
- Tougher Oversight: Stations like Kameme TV and Yahweh TV face financial strain if gambling revenue dries up or licenses are revoked. Smaller stations, reliant on such ads, may struggle to survive.
- Trust at Stake: Exploiting religious platforms risks alienating viewers, as seen in X posts calling broadcasters “con artists” (@_son_of_morning, May 26, 2025).
For the Gambling Industry
- Addiction Concerns: Experts like betting addiction counselor Harrison Mwaura warn that such promotions fuel gambling addiction by promising quick riches.
- Economic Impact: Gambling contributes KSh 19.6 billion annually to KRA’s tax revenue, but unregulated promotions could tarnish the industry’s reputation.
- Policy Push: The proposed Gambling Control Bill 2023, which aims to limit youth-targeted ads and enforce responsible gambling messages, may gain traction.
For Kenyans
- Empowered Consumers: The exposé has raised awareness, with X users urging others to “stop sending money to fake TV raffles” (@mcagidakevin, May 26, 2025).
- Regulatory Reform: The CA’s actions and the BCLB’s task force (with KRA, DCI, and MCK) signal stronger oversight, but gaps remain.
Challenges: Why Some Broadcasters Keep Breaking the Rules
Despite the CA’s efforts, enforcing compliance is no easy task. Here’s why:
- Defiance for Profit: Some stations, especially smaller ones, rely heavily on gambling ad revenue, making them bold enough to ignore bans.
- Regulatory Gaps: Overlapping roles among the CA, BCLB, and KFCB can create confusion.
- Limited Resources: Monitoring every broadcaster, especially obscure religious or vernacular stations, stretches the CA’s capacity.
- Vulnerable Audiences: The exposé showed how low-income Kenyans, desperate for financial relief, are easy targets for rigged promotions.
What’s Next: Fixing the Problem
To tackle the issue, stakeholders must act decisively:
Broadcasters
- Follow the Rules: Stop all unlicensed gambling ads immediately to avoid fines or license loss.
- Find New Revenue: Explore legitimate advertising or subscription models to replace gambling income.
- Be Transparent: Clearly display licensing details and terms for any prize competitions.
CA and BCLB
- Tougher Penalties: Suspend licenses of repeat offenders to deter defiance.
- Public Campaigns: Educate Kenyans on spotting fake promotions and reporting violations.
- Unified Rules: Streamline regulations across agencies to eliminate confusion.
Government
- Pass the Gambling Bill: Fast-track the Gambling Control Bill 2023 to protect vulnerable groups and enforce responsible gambling.
- Boost Enforcement: Equip the CA and BCLB with more resources to monitor broadcasters effectively.
Kenyans
- Stay Vigilant: Avoid promotions without clear licensing or terms.
- Report Scams: Contact the CA (info@ca.go.ke, +254 703 042 284) or BCLB (info@bclb.go.ke, +254 722 756 375) to report suspicious ads.
- Get Educated: Learn about responsible gambling to avoid falling for scams.
How to Report Illegal Gambling Ads
If you spot a questionable promotion on TV or radio, here’s how to report it:
- Collect Proof:
- Note the station, program, and time of the ad.
- Take screenshots or record the content, if possible.
- Reach Out to CA:
- Email: info@ca.go.ke
- Phone: +254 703 042 284
- Share details and evidence of the violation.
- Contact BCLB:
- Email: info@bclb.go.ke
- Phone: +254 722 756 375
- Report the gambling-related issue with specifics.
- Notify MCK:
- Email: info@mediacouncil.or.ke
- Report unethical broadcasting practices.
The Power of Investigative Journalism
NTV’s Sacred Swindle exposé proves the media’s critical role in exposing wrongdoing. The CA praised NTV for shining a light on the issue, but challenges to press freedom, like the 2018 media blackout (hrw.org, January 31, 2018), remind us to protect investigative journalism. Stories like this hold power accountable and empower Kenyans to demand change.
The Bottom Line
The CA’s swift response to NTV’s Sacred Swindle exposé shows it’s serious about cracking down on rogue broadcasters. With fines, ultimatums, and a call for ethical broadcasting, the authority is fighting to protect Kenyans from exploitative gambling scams. But with some stations still defying orders, stronger enforcement and clearer rules are needed to clean up the airwaves.
Kenyans can play their part by staying alert, reporting violations, and supporting responsible media. For more information, contact the CA at info@ca.go.ke or +254 703 042 284, or the BCLB at info@bclb.go.ke.
