Yahweh Media Among Broadcasters Penalised Amid Crackdown on Faith-Based Gambling Promotions
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has imposed a Sh500,000 ($3,800) fine on nine television broadcasters, including Yahweh Media Services, for airing unlicensed gambling content in violation of regulatory directives. The authority has issued a 12-hour ultimatum for the stations to cease broadcasting gambling-related promotions or risk facing further sanctions, including the revocation of their broadcast licences.
The penalties follow a compliance audit conducted in May 2025, which revealed that despite formal directives issued on 13 March and a general advisory on 23 April, several stations continued to air gambling promotions disguised as religious or entertainment programming.
Exposé Sparks Regulatory Action
The crackdown comes on the heels of an investigative report by NTV titled “Sacred Swindle: Inside the Gospel of Greed on Kenya’s Airwaves”. The exposé detailed how faith-based broadcasters have been using religious programming to promote gambling, often masked as spiritual raffles or miracle-based prize competitions.
One pastor featured in the report claimed to earn up to Sh700,000 per day from viewers lured into believing that financial blessings could be received through monetary participation in televised giveaways.
Regulatory Grounds and Broader Ban
The CA cited Section 83A of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, which governs broadcast content and licensing, as the legal basis for the enforcement measures. The Authority warned that repeat violations would attract harsher penalties.
“Even with the directives to suspend advertising of all gambling-related content, a review… revealed the continued airing of such prohibited content… in blatant disregard of sector laws and directives,” the CA said in a statement.
National Gambling Concerns Fuel Oversight
The move also follows a 30-day nationwide ban on gambling advertising enforced by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), aimed at curbing what authorities describe as a rapidly growing and unregulated gambling culture, particularly among vulnerable populations.
The CA confirmed that it will continue monitoring broadcast content for compliance and take further action where necessary.
