In the informal settlements of Nairobi, a quiet and insidious crisis is taking root—gambling addiction. With the rise of mobile betting and betting shops, many young Kenyans have fallen prey to the illusion of quick money, hoping it would provide an escape from poverty.
For some, it is a dream; for others, a nightmare that has already consumed their lives. Jobs, relationships, homes, and even family bonds are being torn apart. What started as a hopeful gamble has spiralled into a cycle of despair.
In Kangemi and Kawangaware, some of Nairobi’s crowded informal settlements, the streets are filled with people trying to make ends meet. Along the streets, there are more than 60 betting shops. They are everywhere. Besides each shop, shylocks have pitched tents as bettors seek instant loans. Many of them are young men in their 20s and early 30s, but the betting shop attendants are female.
Addiction to gambling: an alarming crisis that has quietly gripped many Nairobi informal settlements
For these young people, gambling is seen as their ticket to a better life. The dream is simple: hit it big, escape the grind, and live a life of financial freedom. But for others, it’s not about luck at all—it's about the growing need to feed an addiction, one that takes more than money, and leaves behind nothing but wreckage.
“I used to have a family, but it all disappeared because of betting,” says Wycliffe Olunyi, a former gambler, who is in his 30s .“I had a good job in Upper Hill, but betting took it all away.”
Wycliffe’s story is not unique. Across Nairobi, many have faced similar fates. For others, like Isabel Akinyi, 23, a former gambler who now struggles to raise her child alone, gambling was a destructive force that fractured relationships.
“I used to gamble, but after having my child I had to quit. The father of my child is also trapped in gambling,” she shares quietly, her eyes betraying the pain of lost hope.
Psychological pull of gambling
The impact of gambling addiction extends beyond finances; it cuts deep into the psychological and emotional fabric of those involved.
*Daniel*, a teacher in his mid-30s, knows this well. His life is a testament to how gambling addiction can slowly unravel even the most promising of individuals.
Daniel explains how his life took a turn for the worse when he received his pension—Sh200,000 that he thought would help secure his future.
“It was me, my phone, and my bed. Within two weeks, I was left with just Sh3,000,” he recounts, his eyes tired but sharp, revealing the depth of his struggle.
Despite his best efforts to quit, Daniel found himself falling back into the trap. “I do my work correctly, but once the money comes in, I become a different person. You can’t control me,” he admits.
Even his family became a source of frustration as he began to hide his addiction and lie about his financial situation to get more money for betting.
“I could tell them I had nothing left, so they’d send me money,” he says. “I’ve lost more than Sh3 million. My wife left me because of it. I lost my job as well.”
The percentage of adults who gamble is reported to have increased from 1.9 per cent in 2019 to 13.9 per cent in 2021, with urban males aged 18-36 more likely to bet.
Photo credit: File
For Daniel, gambling had become a coping mechanism—a way of dealing with the pressures of life, the struggles at home, and the desire to break free from the monotony of everyday existence.
“It’s a strong feeling. When you’re overwhelmed, it feels like gambling is the only way out,” he explains.
Ken Peter Munywa, a psychologist, offers insight into the psychology behind gambling addiction. He notes that many people turn to gambling as a way of managing stress and financial struggles.
“Some go into gambling because they think it’s a way to deal with their problems—stresses at home, or finances that aren’t forthcoming,” he says. “The hope is that through gambling, they can turn their lives around. But just like any addiction, things can quickly get out of hand.”
For those like Daniel, the road to recovery is long and fraught with temptation.
“I’ve tried to stop, but I still need help. My colleagues have been supporting me,” says Daniel. “I try reading the Bible, praying when I feel overwhelmed, but it’s not enough.”
Despite these efforts, the grip of gambling remains strong. As Daniel’s story shows, breaking free from the cycle is not just about willpower—it’s about breaking down the deeper emotional and psychological triggers that drive people to gamble.
As gambling addiction continues to tighten its grip on young people in Nairobi's informal settlements, the prevalence of betting shops is seen as a symptom of a larger crisis. While gambling may start as a simple way to make money, it has become a dangerous and uncontrollable habit for many.
The physical presence of betting shops in slums across Nairobi is a stark reminder of how gambling has become embedded in the lives of the youth. As long as these shops remain open and accessible, the lure of a big win will continue to pull people in, especially those desperate for an escape from their circumstances.
