Battery manufacturers in the country have called on President William Ruto to intervene in the sector following a lack of raw materials.
In an address to the press on Monday, January 30, Associated Battery Manufacturers(ABM) Managing Director Guy Jack indicated that the scarcity in raw materials had been caused by the influx of export of lead material.
Jack explained that if the shortage persists, players in the sector would be forced to close shop - a move that would lead to over 2,000 Kenyans being rendered jobless.
He noted that Loitoktok, Taveta, Busia, and Malaba borders were major points where the raw material was being exported from.
Battery manufacturers depend on scrap metals used in the manufacture of the products.
Consequently, he urged the Kenya Kwanza administration to implement the Scrap Metal Act of 2015 which limited the exportation of raw materials outside Kenya.
“The legislation was meant to support the retention of the raw materials for value addition and provided stringent conditions under which exports of lead would be permitted.
“We are in a very precarious position. If not controlled, we will have no option but to shut down and as a result, over 2,000 workers will be left jobless,” he stated.
The MD added that some of the businessmen had come up with ways to beat the system by camouflaging the scrap metals.
"We are also aware of cases of exports of lead ingots camouflaged as 'elevator counterweights'. This is a case where we export our manufacturing jobs," he expressed.
The plea of the manufacturers came barely a year after several companies almost closed shop following the ban on scrap metal dealerships in the country by former President Uhuru Kenyatta
On February 1, 2022, Jack announced plans to close their Ksh1 billion recycling plant in Athi River noting that the factory uses over 2,000 tonnes of lead mostly from scrap metal of wrecked cars.
