NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 17- At least 14 foreigners, mainly from Eastern Europe, who are in the country illegally and being involved in gambling will be deported, the government announced Thursday.
The deportation orders were signed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i in ongoing crackdown on illegal gambling activities in the country.
The foreigners were arrested on Wednesday in three different offices in Nairobi in a crackdown by immigration and police.
Officials said they were operating illegal gambling services in the city. But staff at the offices at Chancery, Hurlingham and Westlands that were affected said the foreigners had all needed documents.
Most of those targeted worked for Sportpesa, which is in court to stop the government from halting their operations in the country.
Another official said it was not only Sportspesa that was affected.
“They are from different companies that are involved in illegal gambling,” said an official aware of the developments but who asked not to be named.
No names were immediately provided but authorities said the deportations are part of the wider crackdown by the government against gambling.
“They are in the country illegally with involvement in gambling and other illegal activities,” an official aware of the plans said.
The foreigners will be deported Thursday night to their countries.
They were being detained at various police cells in Nairobi.
This marks the latest operation on gambling in the country in a series aimed at sanitizing the industry.
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