Arocho Details How Kenyan Football Will Be Affected Should Sportpesa Withdraw Sponsorship

Late last week, betting firm Sport Pesa announced that they would withdraw sponsorship for local sports clubs and unions beginning January due to the 35 per cent tax on revenue.

The withdrawal will begin on January 1, 2018, CEO Ronald Karauri announced during a meeting at a Nairobi hotel on Friday.

Karauri said the cost of doing business will be affected by the finance law that President Uhuru Kenyatta signed into law on Wednesday, days after he had refused to sign the bill.

“Our cost of doing business will be greatly affected…we have to consider the impact on operating besides partnerships,” he said.

“With the new [law]…we want our sports partners to plan accordingly.”

The law raises the tax rate on gambling but sets it at a lower rate than had originally been proposed. It will impose a tax of 35 per cent of gross profits on all gambling.

As a lover of sports, sports presenter and commentator, Fred Arocho believes that should Sportpesa withdraw their sponsorship, this will cripple the sports industry, which has been experiencing significant growth.

According to Arocho, he believes that Kenyans should unite and urge the President to reconsider his decision for the sake of millions of Kenyans who rely on sports for survival, owing to the fact that the move will affect  the likes of; AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia, the Kenya Premier League, Kenya Boxing League and rugby teams.

"The government is being unfair, to just target sports entities more so betting industry because the only surviving industry that is supporting the game is the betting industry."

Said Arocho adding that the only way the government can appreciate what Sportpesa and other betting companies are doing is by reconsidering the current tax imposed on them.

Check out Arocho's full interview below.