Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire on Tuesday directed the immediate ban on all scrap metal businesses in the county.
The governor while addressing the press at her office attributed the ban to a surge in cases of vandalism of government and private property.
Following the ban the governor ordered a fresh vetting process on all scrap dealers in a bid to get rid of unscrupulous businesses involved in the vandalism.
“From today, all scrap mental businesses are closed, we are burning the business of scrap metal in Embu County for fresh vetting," the governor directed.
"There is a lot of vandalism of private and govt properties who steal the metals and sell,” Mbarire added.
While issuing the orders, Mbarire claimed several county properties had been destroyed by people she claimed were crap metal dealers.
According to Mbarire, all the metallic dustbins placed in different locations within the county were stolen, a situation she said compelled her to issue the orders.
"Just recently, people were arrested attempting to vandalise the stadium built with a lot of money. They know themselves," the governor claimed.
"Even the government fences, school fences built using metals have all been stolen during the night and sold off," she added.
Mbarire noted fresh licences will only be issued to scrap metal dealers who will have undergone the fresh vetting process. She stated the vetting process with be done by a multiagency team consisting of security officers and county officials.
Last year Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir hinted at banning all scrap metal dealers after a surge in cases of vandalism of power lines.
"When you become vandals you are fighting the government which becomes a sorry state. You are fighting a government with an army, and a police force, and making laws. If we decide to wind up this sector we can do that in one day," Chirchir noted.
