On Tuesday, 21 May 2019, a temporary suspension of a government directive banning advertisements of betting and gambling was issued by Kenyan High Court.
Significantly, during the first week of the month, in a bid to curb gambling addiction, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) got the ban into effect, however, later on, an artist moved to court to contest the directive.
As per reports, the complainant, Kamau Wanjohi who goes by the stage name, MC Moreydoc, pressed charges saying that his source of livelihood had been hindered with. The emcee then went on to sue the board, its chief executive officer Liti Wambua, its chairman Cyrus Maina and the Attorney General.
MC Moreydoc went on to make an agreement that public participation was not involved while the ban was issued, he also then went on to state that as someone involved in performing, recording, and distribution of music, the said ban was completely irrational.
As per reports, the stay of execution was issued by Justice James Makau on Monday, May 20th.
The order given by Justice James Macau reads as follows, “Pending the hearing and determination of this case, a conservatory order is issued staying the implementation of the decision by the BCLB issued on April 30 touching on endorsement and advertisement of a lottery, betting, gaming and prize competition.”
Notably, the ban, originally set to be effective from May 30 has also barred advertisement of the vice between 6 am to 10 pm as well as banned celebrities from endorsing gambling operations.
