Hooked on gambling: Many Kenyans addicted to get-rich-quick schemes

Three years ago, when sports betting was roaring like a wild bush fire and every youthful football fan was drawn into gambling, two university students known to this writer placed bets on a weekend. One of them placed Sh10,000 on what was seen as a safe bet, with odds of just over two, for a potential return of slightly over twice the money he had invested.

The other, a carefree spirit who only deposited pocket change into his account, wagered Sh100. On Sunday, one of them was a disconsolate mess, lamenting the loss of savings that had spanned months. The other, from a mere Sh100, had won over Sh400,000.