Gambling regulator chief fights bids to remove him from office
Peter Maina Karimi is contesting two court cases challenging his appointment as the Gambling Regulatory Authority's director-general.Summary
Peter Maina Karimi, the inaugural director-general of the Gambling Regulatory Authority, is fighting two separate legal challenges in the High Court and the Employment and Labour Relations Court. Petitioners allege that Karimi lacks the mandatory 10 years of senior management experience required by the Gambling Control Act, claiming his professional history only shows approximately five years in a leadership role.
Beyond the experience requirements, the petitioners also argue that Karimi's previous associations with Acumen Communications and Umsuka Capital Limited violate statutory safeguards intended to ensure the regulator's independence from gambling interests. One petitioner specifically noted Karimi's link to the Mchezo Bet platform.
Karimi denies all allegations, maintaining that his appointment followed an open, competitive, and procedural recruitment process. He argues that the appointing authority verified his qualifications and asserts that the challenges are based on misrepresentations. He further contends that the High Court petition should be transferred to the specialist labour court, as the matter pertains to employment disputes.
(Source：Business Daily)