Kenyan investors who own betting companies

Sports betting has risen to become a very popular activity in Kenya. This is partly contributed by the surging cases of unemployment in the country and high cost of living pushing mostly the youthful population to involve themselves in sports betting with the hopes of earning extra income.

Apart from sports betting, other forms of gambling have also risen with the most common one being lucky picks mostly encouraged by radio stations in the country. Almost every local radio station in Kenya has a paybill which listeners use to buy stakes and after that, one lucky winner is announced and awarded a given price.

Apart from the lucky picks, there are also other forms of gambling which are very common in the country like lowest bidders, casinos and virtual betting. All these are regulated with the Betting Control and Licensing Board.

What most people don’t know is the identity of investors behind these betting companies which are mushrooming in the country. After a thorough research and references to reliable sources, we have compiled a list of Kenyan investors who have stakes in betting companies or single handedly own certain betting companies.

SK Macharia

Macharia is popularly known throughout the country as a businessman. He owns Royal Media Services among other businesses. Apart from his heafty investment in media industry, Macharia also owns a betting company called Shabiki. The businessman uses his media outlets to market his betting company which is rising steadily.

Jimi Kibaki

Jimi Kibaki is the son of former Mwai Kibaki. According to media reports, Jimi owns the popular betting company Odi Bet. The company recently launched its operations in neighbouring country Tanzania as Wasafi bet. In Kenya, Odi Bet has grown to be one of the most popular betting sites. This growth has been contributed to by the numerous offers it has for its customers which makes it a better choice for most of the gamblers in Kenya.

Julie Gichuru

The former Citizen TV news anchor was one of the brand ambassadors of the betting company Mcheza. What most people did not know was that she was actually one of the shareholders at the company.  Mcheza has remained a little known betting company since it was launched but all in all, it still operates in the country.

Chris Mwarigi Kaumbathu

Chris Mwarigi is a former pilot with Kenya Airways company. Chris has shares in Betika which is one of the most popular betting sites in Kenya. Other Kenyans also have shares in the betting giant company together with some foreign investors.

Musa Sirma

Sirma is a former member of Parliament who served in Kenya. Sirma has shares in Mozzartbet which is one of the rapidly growing betting companies in Kenya. The former politician has partnered with several foreign and local investors who brought up the betting site.

Ronald Karauri

Ronald Karauri has stakes in sportpesa company. Sportpesa is a giant betting company which was at Some time the leading betting company in Kenya. Sportpesa halted its operations in Kenya some times back citing high tax before returning to the Kenyan market last year.