Oscar Sudi Allegedly Linked to Bangbet Ownership Amid Gambling Industry Scrutiny

As public pressure mounts against Kenya’s booming betting industry, new allegations have emerged connecting Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, a close ally of President William Ruto, to the ownership structure of popular betting company Bangbet, particularly as concerns grow over the viral “aviator” gambling game sweeping across the nation.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Sudi allegedly holds approximately 30% stake in the Kenyan franchise of Bangbet, which operates locally under Rabow Co. Limited.

These claims suggest his involvement represents a “political insurance policy” designed to shield the company from regulatory interference while ensuring its continued operation in Kenya’s lucrative gambling market.

“The stake was negotiated. It’s about protection,” one industry insider revealed. “There are directors listed on paper, but they are just placeholders.”

Bangbet, reportedly generating hundreds of millions of shillings in daily turnover, has become one of Kenya’s most profitable betting platforms, with much of its success attributed to the controversial “aviator” betting game that has sparked national debate about gambling addiction.

Shadow Ownership Structure

The ownership structures of betting companies in Kenya have long remained opaque, with beneficial owners often operating behind corporate veils.

While Rabow Co. Limited is the registered operating entity for Bangbet in Kenya, company registration documents reviewed for this investigation do not explicitly name Sudi as a shareholder.

This strategy of using “shadow shareholders” appears common across Kenya’s gambling sector, where politically connected individuals can benefit financially while avoiding public scrutiny and potential moral backlash.

“Many politicians and influential businesspeople prefer to distance themselves publicly from gambling operations due to the growing stigma and potential regulatory scrutiny,” explained a gambling industry analyst.

Mounting Social Concerns

The allegations come amid growing public outrage over gambling addiction and financial ruin affecting Kenyan communities.

Kenyans on social media and advocacy groups have increasingly called for tighter regulations or outright bans on high-frequency betting products, particularly those targeting youth through flashy advertising and instant cash promises.

Critics argue that political entanglements in the betting industry represent a classic case of regulatory capture—where public institutions tasked with oversight are compromised by the very elites they are supposed to regulate.

“Politician ownership of betting companies creates potential conflicts of interest when it comes to regulation and oversight,” noted Dr. Jennifer Kimani, a public policy researcher focusing on Kenya’s gambling sector. “If lawmakers have financial stakes in these businesses, it complicates efforts to implement necessary consumer protections.”

Pattern of Political Connections

These allegations align with a broader pattern of reported connections between Kenya’s political elite and the highly profitable betting industry.

Multiple politicians and businesspeople with political connections have previously been linked to ownership stakes in betting operations across the country.

MozzartBet Kenya for instance is locally tied to former minister Musa Sirma as a shareholder, SportPesa is owned by Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri.

Langata MP Phelix Jalang’o owns Pakamia that runs the condemned aviator program.

Labour and Social Protection CS Alfred Mutua, reportedly owns a betting company called Sakabets Safi Limited (PVT-5JUERQGM).

When contacted for comment, MP Sudi’s office did not respond to requests for verification regarding the alleged ownership stake. Similarly, representatives for Bangbet Kenya declined to discuss their ownership structure, stating that shareholder information is private.

The Ministry of Interior, which oversees gambling regulation through the Betting Control and Licensing Board, has recently promised enhanced scrutiny of betting companies’ ownership structures as part of broader industry reforms.

As concerned citizens continue to demand accountability, the question remains whether such regulatory efforts can succeed when those tasked with creating and enforcing gambling laws may themselves be profiting from the very industry they’re meant to oversee.