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Kericho County Commissioner Kamau Karung’o has urged the members of the public to strictly adhere to all Covid-19 protocols issued by the ministry of health, urging Kericho residents to keep time so as to avoid arrest for disregarding the 7 p.m. curfew.

Last week police dispersed traders at Kericho Market using teargas canisters for failing to observe the new Covid regulations have hindered the opening of markets for 30 days.

He said the virus will only be contained if residents followed the ministry of health containment measures that included proper handwashing, social distancing and wearing of face masks.

The CC was speaking while incinerating 41 illegal betting machines worth Sh 2.4 million confiscated from Sondu, Cheboin, Kapsoit, and Fort-Tenan trading centers.

Karung’o emphasized on the need to eradicate unsanctioned businesses which have been a menace to Kericho residents.

“Betting is an addictive game and most of the players are students who stake on school fees. These machines are programmed to defraud the players and benefit the owner,” Karung’o lamented.

            Karung’o cautioned the public on the effects which include marital issues, often caused by the amount of time devoted to gaming and wastage of resources trying to multiply it using the dubious gaming platform.

            “This business has encouraged laziness and idleness among youth,” said Mr. Kamau

The Kericho County Commissioner who was accompanied by the Kericho County Police Commander Mr. Silas Mathiu, among other senior members of the security team, made the remarks at Kericho Central Police station where the destruction of the machines was conducted.

A total of 81gaming machines worth millions of shillings have been destroyed this year  and the CC said police will continue to crackdown on the illegal gaming machines until the vice was completely eradicated in the County.