Kenya’s public health system is under visible strain. From overstretched hospital wards to patients detained due to unpaid bills, the pressure is not only financial — it’s deeply human. At this critical moment, Changing Lives – Powered by Bangbet has emerged as a timely and practical response from the private sector, offering targeted relief and a model for sustainable corporate social responsibility.
Launched during a carefully designed event at Lord Erroll Gardens in Runda, the initiative centers on two high-impact interventions:
The Bangbet Hospital Support Fund, with an initial contribution of Ksh 1,000,000 to St. Mary’s Hospital to help release patients stuck in care due to financial constraints.
The Friends of Bangbet Empowerment Drive, where selected individuals received income-enabling or burden-reducing tools like motorcycles, televisions, and appliances.
According to Bangbet Kenya CEO David Gichuchi, this isn’t about publicity — it’s about presence. “We’ve walked the wards. We’ve seen the faces of patients who can’t go home, not because they’re sick, but because they can’t afford to leave,” he said. “This fund is not a one-time activity — it is a long-term commitment to walk with Kenyans in their most difficult moments.”
St. Mary’s Hospital, a faith-based facility in Nairobi that treats hundreds of low-income patients monthly, was the first institution to benefit from the initiative. For CEO Sister Dr. Rose Nafula, the support could not have come at a better time.
“We are truly overwhelmed by this act of compassion,” she said during the event. “The Bangbet Hospital Support Fund is not just clearing bills — it is restoring hope, healing families, and giving people a second chance.”
Recent data from civil society networks and health NGOs suggest that medical detention — the practice of holding patients in hospitals due to unpaid bills — is still widespread in Kenya. Many of the most affected are new mothers and accident victims, precisely the groups Bangbet’s fund is designed to support.
This issue is not just a health problem — it’s a social crisis. Families are separated. Wards are overcrowded. Costs mount for hospitals. And patients face psychological stress even after healing.
That’s why Bangbet’s decision to act is gaining attention — not for its scale, but for its sincerity.
Importantly, the event was entirely non-promotional and fully compliant with regulations set by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB).
Rev. Dr. Jane Mwikali Makau, Chairperson of the BCLB, spoke directly to this during her remarks. “This noble act is a shining example of the kind of impact we expect and encourage from all licensed operators,” she said. “It also demonstrates that businesses — even in gaming — can support national priorities ethically and meaningfully.”
Rev. Dr. Makau also pointed to the opportunity for deeper collaboration between the gaming sector and Kenya’s social infrastructure. “We welcome initiatives like this that align with our broader policy goals of dignity, accountability, and responsible corporate behavior.”
The empowerment component of the initiative — recognizing Friends of Bangbet with household and livelihood support tools — adds an economic resilience dimension to the health intervention. In a country where the informal sector supports over 80% of the working population, these tools represent more than generosity — they’re a form of localized economic stimulus.
“These are not just gifts,” Gichuchi said. “They’re investments in people. We want to help them take their next step — toward stability, toward growth, toward peace of mind.”
As Kenya grapples with fiscal pressure, rising health care needs, and socioeconomic inequality, Changing Lives – Powered by Bangbet provides an example of how private sector actors can fill gaps in a disciplined, impactful, and regulation-aligned way.
The company has pledged to expand the initiative to additional counties and partner with more health institutions in the coming months.
“It’s time to move from charity to commitment,” said Gichuchi. “From events to ecosystems. That’s the future of CSR — and we’re ready to be part of it.”
