Unemployment has led to Silent Crisis Among the Youth

The level of hopelessness in Kenya has reached a worrying scale, as many young men now see gambling as the only way to make ends meet.

Recent statistics indicate that every month, jobless young men and women do whatever they can to find money to spend on gambling – often engaging in risky betting activities that leave them twice or even three times poorer than before.

On average, each individual spends about Ksh 2,800 on betting activities that rarely favour them.

“There is a deeper problem in society, and it is tied to unemployment. People feel that the quickest way to make money is through gambling,” said economic expert Ken Gichinga during an NTV morning session.

Many of these young people believe that the easiest way to earn a living is through betting. This culture has been further fueled by widespread joblessness, leaving some with families to support but no stable source of income.

The Business of Desperation

As a result, investors in the betting industry continue to launch new gambling platforms daily, taking advantage of a desperate and ready local market.

Every day, new betting companies emerge online to collect fees and easy money from these unemployed individuals.

Sadly, most of these companies are owned by influential, wealthy politicians – many of whom hold high government offices. They often remain above the law, and the regulations passed in Parliament or enforced through court orders tend to favour them because of their political influence.

Locally, the Aviator gambling game has been linked to numerous deaths, yet few dare to speak about it because its owners are powerful and well-connected individuals at the top.

A Generation at Risk

Mental health experts have warned that gambling addiction is silently consuming the youth, leading to depression, anxiety, and in extreme cases, suicide. Many victims end up trapped in cycles of debt, borrowing money from friends, family, or mobile loan apps in the hope of winning back their losses.

Social observers note that gambling has replaced hard work and creativity in the minds of many young people. Instead of channeling their energy into innovation, education, or entrepreneurship, a large section of the youth now spends hours glued to betting apps, waiting for odds to change their fate.

If not addressed, the gambling crisis could undermine Kenya’s economic future. The same youth who should be driving productivity and innovation are now being drained financially and emotionally by a system that profits from their vulnerability.

What Can Be Done?

Experts are calling for stronger government regulation, public education, and the creation of sustainable job opportunities to counter the gambling culture. Religious and community leaders are also being urged to speak openly about the moral and social dangers of gambling.

Only through coordinated effort – between government, civil society, and citizens – can Kenya hope to rescue a generation slowly sinking under the weight of false hope and exploitation.