KENYA– Kenya’s Senate has given the Kilifi County Government 30 days to account for delays in developing regulations needed to implement its Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act, alongside 35 other county laws and legislative instruments.
The directive was issued on September 22, 2026, by the Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation during a meeting at the Kilifi County Assembly. The committee raised concerns that laws without supporting regulations risk becoming difficult to enforce and implement effectively.
According to an official parliamentary report, 36 laws and legislative instruments across eight county departments currently lack the necessary regulatory frameworks. Some regulations are yet to be developed, while others have not been submitted to the County Assembly for consideration and approval.
The affected legislation includes the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act, as well as laws covering revenue administration, valuation, education, agriculture, healthcare, environmental management, trade and social development.
Committee Chairperson Senator Mwenda Gataya criticised the County Executive over the delays, noting that recommendations made during the committee’s 2025 visit to Kilifi had not been fully implemented.
County officials said the outstanding regulations are at different stages of development and committed to completing the required legal processes.
The committee has directed the Kilifi County Assembly, in consultation with the County Executive, to submit a detailed report to the Senate within 30 days outlining progress on the outstanding regulations.
For Kilifi’s betting and gaming sector, the Senate intervention highlights the importance of having clear regulatory frameworks in place to ensure effective enforcement, compliance and implementation of county legislation.
