In the towns and villages of Northern Kenya, a quiet but dangerous crisis is unfolding.
It’s not always visible, and it doesn’t make headlines but has left a lasting damage in the hearts and homes of our communities.
Gambling, especially in its modern digital forms, is trapping our youth in a cycle of false hope, addiction, and ruin. For us as Muslims, this is both a social and spiritual crisis.
Our faith is clear: gambling (maysir) is forbidden in Islam. The Qur’an warns us that it is from the handiwork of Shaytaan, designed to sow hatred and prevent us from remembering Allah and performing prayer.
Yet today, sports betting shops line our streets, and online gambling platforms are just a few taps away on every smartphone.
Sadly, many of those falling into this trap are our youth, students, boda boda riders, job seekers who see gambling as a shortcut to wealth in the face of economic hardship.
But there is no shortcut. Only loss and regret.
Young people are lured in by flashy adverts promising big wins. They bet on football matches they barely understand, borrowing money or using lunch money in the hope of doubling it. Some skip school to gamble. Others steal.
Many fall into depression, especially after repeated losses. Families are breaking apart. Trust is being destroyed. And still, the community often stays silent, unsure of how to respond.
We must wake up. Gambling is a personal failure. It’s a community concern. The silence around it gives it power.
As Muslim leaders, parents, teachers, and elders, we must speak openly about the harm it causes to wallets and to the soul.
The solution begins at home and in the masjid. Parents must talk to their children about the dangers of gambling, both in this life and the Hereafter.
Imams must raise the issue during khutbahs and youth programs.
Schools should integrate awareness into their lessons. And at a societal level, we must hold accountable those who promote or profit from this haram activity in our neighborhoods.
We are responsible for guiding our youth away from paths that lead to destruction. Gambling may promise quick wealth, but it delivers poverty spiritually, emotionally, and financially.
Let us not remain silent while Shaytaan deceives our sons and daughters. It is time to act, to educate, and to protect.
Our future depends on it.
Mr. Nasteh Farah Buraze is the Chairperson of the Garissa Youth Association, a community leader and advocate for youth empowerment in Northern Kenya.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Kulan Post or its subsidiaries.
