Kenyan Tycoons In Bitter Court Battle Over Sportpesa Trademark

Some of Kenyas richest investors are squaring off in court over who controls SportPesa, the countrys best-known betting brand, in a fight that has turned into one of the most heated business disputes in years. The fight has spilled into the courts and left punters unsure of the platforms future. SportPesa, launched in 2012 by Pevans East Africa, once dominated Kenyas gambling market and even won sponsorships with English Premier League clubs. At its peak, the company paid out about 152 billion shillings about 1.2 billion in dividends between 2015 and mid-2019, minting new billionaires along the way. But the empire began to crumble when the government revoked Pevans licence in 2019, citing massive tax arrears that ran into the tens of billions of shillingsamounts worth hundreds of millions of dollars. In the aftermath, the SportPesa trademark was quietly transferred to Milestone Games, a company linked to insiders including Ronald Karauri. That decision outraged fellow shareholders, who allege the transfer was unauthorized and undervalued the brand. Among the loudest voices is businesswoman Asenath Maina, who has sued to have Pevans reinstated as the rightful owner of the brand. She also wants profits tied to SportPesas continued use clawed back for the original investors. The High Court responded by issuing a temporary injunction blocking Milestone from using the name until the case is resolved. The legal wrangling has cast a long shadow over Kenyas betting landscape. Kenyas Betting Control and Licensing Board has cast doubt on Milestones standing more than once, pulling and later restoring its licences, all the while maintaining that the company has no right to operate under the SportPesa name. For punters, the uncertainty has been unsettling. Many complain of confusion when logging into betting platforms, unsure which operations are officially sanctioned and whether winnings will be honored. Industry analysts warn that the drawn-out fight risks undermining trust in Kenyas gaming sector, which is estimated to generate more than 200 billion shillings around 1.6 billion in annual revenue and employs thousands across the country. The market thrives on confidence, said one Nairobi-based gaming consultant. When a big brand like SportPesa gets caught in endless court cases, ordinary players start doubting the safety of their money. Beyond the gamblers, the saga highlights the broader influence of Kenyas billionaire class, who are accused of playing out personal rivalries through corporate maneuvering. Allegations of fraudulent trademark assignments and shareholder betrayals have only deepened the intrigue.