By Anne Nyambura
A 27-year-old woman, who was entrusted with KSh 200,000 as an informal Sacco treasurer, is serving a three-year sentence after losing the money to online gambling.
Dorothy Katulu, currently seven months pregnant, has been behind bars at Lang’ata Women’s Prison for the past month after being sentenced on January 17, 2025. Her story has sparked widespread debate after being aired on a local television station.
"Life here is tough. The food is horrible, and being pregnant, I cannot afford proper meals," she lamented. "My baby’s father no longer talks to me, and I have nothing left. I will have to give birth while in prison, and I don’t know what to do.”Katulu revealed that a friend introduced her to an online betting game called Aviator, promising quick wins. With the Sacco money in her phone, she decided to take a chance, hoping to multiply it and support her family.
“I was the sole breadwinner at home. I thought I could win big and send them money for Christmas or school fees,” she said.However, luck was not on her side. Within hours, the entire Ksh. 200,000 was gone, and reality hit hard. When the Sacco members demanded their money, she could not account for it, leading to her arrest and subsequent conviction.
Now, facing an uncertain future behind bars, Katulu is left with regret and the harsh reality of raising her child in prison. Her story has ignited conversations around gambling addiction, financial responsibility, and the growing influence of online betting in Kenya.
