A young man from Eldoret, located in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, has been left heartbroken and deeply distressed after losing KSh 2.8 million, approximately ₦33 million through online sports betting. The money, which was intended to fund his education abroad, was reportedly lost on Aviator, a widely used digital gambling platform.
The individual, identified as Dismas Mutai, shared his ordeal on social media, expressing his emotional turmoil and reaching out to the public, including politicians, for help. He candidly admitted that the financial loss has taken a severe toll on his mental health and general well-being.
“I’m not okay; I will no longer pretend to be okay. I’ve fallen into a disastrous trap one I never imagined in my life. Depression is slowly taking me to the grave. You must have even noticed a change in my behavior. Aviator flew away with over KSh 2.8 million of people’s money,” Mutai said, according to a report by Tuko News, a prominent Kenyan news outlet.
A Cry for Help and Forgiveness
In his heartfelt post, Mutai acknowledged his mistake and pleaded for compassion and understanding from Kenyans. He apologized to his family for letting them down, noting that gambling had become an uncontrollable weakness in his life despite his initial hopes and dreams for a brighter future.
“To my mum and the entire family, I am truly sorry. I know how much you trusted me. Like any other human being, I have my flaws and gambling has become my greatest flaw,” he wrote.
Mutai also extended his plea to his local community, asking for forgiveness and understanding. He mentioned his previous involvement in village affairs and asked for another chance to rebuild his life and possibly serve as a cautionary tale for others who may be battling similar struggles.
“Maybe the UK was never my destiny. But please, allow me the chance to survive this. I want to be a living testimony that people can fall and still rise again,” he added.
Lost Educational Opportunity
Dismas Mutai had been preparing to travel to the United Kingdom, having secured admission to pursue a Master of Science in International Project Management at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in London. Documents shared online confirmed that his academic program was scheduled to commence on January 13, 2025, and run through to January 16, 2026.
Public Reactions and Calls for Regulation
The incident has sparked a flurry of reactions from concerned Kenyans on social media. Many expressed sympathy for Mutai while also highlighting the dangers of gambling, particularly on platforms like Aviator, which are often unregulated and highly addictive.
A number of commentators have urged the Kenyan government to either strictly regulate or entirely ban such gambling platforms to protect vulnerable individuals from falling into similar traps. They emphasized that while personal accountability is important, the accessibility and allure of gambling apps pose a broader social risk that needs urgent intervention.
Mutai’s story has become a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that gambling addiction can have not just financially, but emotionally and psychologically and underscores the need for increased awareness and preventive measures.
