BY SAM ALFAN.
Celebrities are free to continue endorsing gaming and gabling after the High Court suspended a ban recently imposed by the government.
The decision was made by Justice James Makau after Murigi Kamau Wanjohi sought orders from the court, barring Betting Control and Licensing Board from interfering with his endorsement of gaming, gambling, and lottery and price competition.
Wanjohi filed the case seeking to quash the decision BCLB’s Liti Wambua dated April 30, 2019 touching on advertisements and endorsements of betting and gaming. In the move, the government banned celebrities from endorsing gaming.
Wanjohi told the court that the decision was unconstitutional and of no legal effect.
He urged the court to issue conservatory orders suspending the implementation of the decision, pending the hearing and determination of the case.
In his affidavit Wanjohi popularly known as Mc Moreydoc told the court vide a decision dated April 30, the board purported to ban outdoor advertisement of gambling on all social media platforms, endorsement of gambling operations by celebrities and advertisement of gambling between 6am and 10 pm.
Wanjohi said he earns a living through endorsement of products and services due to his influence and celebrity status and the alleged decision infringes on his rights.
He further added that the said decision is irrational and unreasonable as it was not subjected to public participation and it’s against fair administrative action and it is vague on who is a celebrity.
