How Radio Presenters Exploit Vulnerable Gamblers Through Rigged Competitions as Calls for Aviator Betting Ban Intensify

A troubling exposé from a radio presenter at a leading Kamba media house has revealed a predatory scheme luring vulnerable Kenyans into gambling with promises of quick riches.

As calls to dismantle the gambling industry grow louder, leading media houses—including Royal Media Services and its owner S.K. Macharia—face mounting criticism for allegedly fueling a crisis that has driven youth and women into financial ruin, debt, and in some cases, suicide.

The whistleblower, who requested anonymity, revealed that media houses are allegedly complicit in promoting gambling platforms like Aviator, earning a 20% commission on losses incurred by their listeners.

“The real problem isn’t just Aviator, but media houses misleading their audience, encouraging them to gamble with promises of easy money,” the presenter claimed.

“It’s a harmful system based on deception.”

Once reportedly generating over a million shillings daily, the company is now struggling amid mounting backlash and refund demands from gamblers—yet the damage continues.

Personal accounts from affected individuals illustrate the severity of the situation.

Dennis from Kiambu Ngegu lost KSh 220,000 intended for a job opportunity in Qatar, spiraling into debt after staking KSh 1,000 that resulted in losses at 1.00x odds.

“I sold my woofer, TV—everything went,” he said, cautioning others against similar mistakes.

Another gambler, a cleaning worker earning KSh 10,000 monthly, wagered KSh 7,000 of his October 2023 salary hoping to double it, only to lose everything and face eviction.

“Since then, I have never bet in my life again,” he stated.

For some, the consequences were even more severe. A university student described how his addiction escalated from betting KSh 2 to borrowing from friends and selling his laptop and household items to recover losses.

After losing KSh 120,000 in semester fees and KSh 45,000 from a freelance job, he reached a crisis point, contemplating suicide before seeking assistance from Kenya Red Cross.

“You lose, then you win, which makes you believe there’s hope—then you lose again,” he explained, describing the cycle that traps users.

“My neighbour lost more than 5m to Aviator. They ended up closing the agrovet which was leading in Kebirigo, Kisii. Sold petrol station. Closed all money transactions agents.” added another user.

In another case, a Nakuru-based primary school teacher has lost her marriage, life savings, and mental health to an escalating gambling addiction—with her family now considering hospitalization as her last hope for recovery.

The teacher, employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), began betting on the controversial “Aviator” game in 2023. What started as casual gambling spiraled into a financial crisis: she drained her salary, took a KSh 350,000 high-interest loan to chase losses, and even squandered KSh 57,000 meant for planting season—lying to her husband that the money was “swapped.”

Her once-supportive spouse, who managed their farm, eventually divorced her after repeated betrayals. He has since remarried, while she now lives alone in a Nakuru rental, battling depression and social withdrawal.

“This Aviator thing is a menace—a real menace!” said, a relative who shared the story. The family is now exploring medical intervention, citing her antisocial behavior and deteriorating mental state.

Blogger criticizes media

Blogger Cyprian Nyakundi has criticized media executives like SK Macharia, alleging they profit from this situation.

“Citizen TV broadcasts prime time advertisements for betting platforms and features alleged winners claiming fifty thousand shillings. It appears staged,” Nyakundi wrote.

“SK Macharia, how much is enough? Young Kenyans are dying by suicide after losing everything to Aviator.”

He suggests the silence from media leaders and politicians indicates complicity in a crisis “affecting an entire generation.”

Government officials have also expressed concern. The State Department for Public Health, led by Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, has described online gambling as a “silent epidemic,” citing its impact on mental health and financial stability, particularly among youth betting with borrowed funds.

“We are deeply concerned about the escalating cases of gambling-related distress—from debt and depression to suicide,” Muthoni said.

Proposed interventions include stricter regulations, awareness campaigns, and collaboration with media and telecommunications companies to limit promotion.

Those affected claim the appeal of Aviator—promoted through radio “competitions” that presenters privately acknowledge are manipulated—lies in its accessibility and the false hope it presents.

One recovering participant who quit after deactivating his betting accounts said, “At least Mpesa can now retain funds. I don’t want quick money anymore.”

However, for many, the consequences are irreversible: broken families, sold possessions, and unfulfilled aspirations.

As the presenter who spoke out reportedly narrowly avoided termination, questions remain: will Kenya’s media organizations and regulators take action, or will gambling promoters continue to target vulnerable individuals?

For now, the voices of those affected grow louder, demanding accountability and reform.