Woman’s Gambling Addiction Forces Family To Sell Their Only Cow
NAIROBI – Mirriam Waithira, a former businesswoman from Nairobi, has revealed how her gambling addiction led her family to sell their only cow to fund her betting habit.
The ordeal began with an initial win of Ksh264,000 (US$2,046) on the Aviator betting platform, which set off a cycle of debt and hardship over the years.
Her first win convinced her that gambling was a reliable source of income. “I placed a Ksh2,000 (US$15.50) bet and won Ksh264,000 (US$2,046). That win made me believe gambling was profitable.”
“I sent money home for my parents to buy a cow, but just days later, I asked them to sell that very cow to support my gambling,” she revealed.
According to K24 Digital, Mirriam’s addiction worsened as she began borrowing money under false pretenses, often inventing financial emergencies to secure funds. The financial strain caused her thriving business in Nairobi to collapse, forcing her to seek refuge in Kinangop with her family.
Despite moving, her gambling persisted, trapping her in a worsening cycle of debt.
A critical turning point came when Mirriam borrowed Ksh24,000(US$186.05) from a friend, claiming she needed the money to repay a loan.
She lost the entire amount in a single bet. The lender alerted others, believing she was fleeing with the money, which led to a public dispute that escalated into violence and culminated in an act of public aggression.
Reflecting on the incident, Mirriam said, “The mob attack was my wake-up call. That moment made me realize how destructive gambling had become in my life.”
Now living in a small bedsitter in Nairobi, Mirriam is attempting to rebuild her life from scratch after losing her business, savings and her family’s trust. She is reportedly seeking counselling and exploring ways to recover from her addiction.
