The newly established regulator is seeking a visionary and experienced chief executive to lead enforcement, licensing, and responsible gambling reforms under the Gambling Control Act, 2025.
Kenya’s Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) has officially opened recruitment for a new Director General and Chief Executive Officer, marking a pivotal step in strengthening governance and leadership within the country’s rapidly expanding gambling sector. The vacancy, announced in January 2026, comes at a time when Kenya is implementing a new regulatory framework under the Gambling Control Act, 2025, aimed at modernising oversight, curbing illegal operations, and promoting responsible gambling.
The Authority, which was formally established under the new law, is mandated to regulate, license, and supervise all gambling activities across the country. Its responsibilities include issuing and revoking licences, monitoring compliance, shutting down illegal operators, and ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair, transparent, and socially responsible manner. With betting and gaming continuing to grow in popularity—particularly through online and mobile platforms—the role of the regulator has become increasingly critical in protecting consumers and safeguarding public interest.
According to the recruitment notice, the GRA is looking for a visionary, results-driven leader capable of providing strategic direction and operational leadership. The Director General will be responsible for implementing board policies, overseeing day-to-day management, coordinating enforcement actions, and guiding the Authority’s long-term strategy. The successful candidate will also be expected to work closely with government agencies, law-enforcement bodies, and industry stakeholders to ensure that the regulatory framework is applied consistently and effectively.
Key responsibilities of the role include policy formulation, financial and administrative management, stakeholder engagement, and the development of systems to monitor both land-based and online gambling activities. A major focus will be strengthening compliance mechanisms, improving data collection, and ensuring that operators meet standards related to anti-money laundering, consumer protection, and responsible gambling.
To qualify, applicants must be Kenyan citizens with a recognised university degree and at least ten years of senior management experience in either the public or private sector. Candidates must also meet the integrity requirements set out in Chapter Six of the Constitution, reflecting the importance of ethical leadership in a sector often exposed to regulatory and reputational risks.
The appointment will be for a three-year term, renewable once subject to performance. Remuneration and employment conditions will be determined by the Board in consultation with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission. The Authority has emphasised that the recruitment process will be competitive, transparent, and merit-based, and has encouraged applications from qualified individuals, including persons with disabilities and candidates from marginalised communities.
As Kenya intensifies efforts to combat illegal gambling and strengthen regulatory oversight, the selection of a capable Director General is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the future of the country’s gaming industry, balancing economic growth with consumer protection and social responsibility.
