Industry Principal Secretary Dr Juma Mukhwana disclosed how powerful Kenyans appointed to critical state committees and councils intimidate the government into agreeing to their demands.
Speaking to the Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism Committee, Mukhwana accused some members of the Scrap Metal Council (SMC) of carrying guns to the negotiation table.
"Some members draw out their guns and placed them on the table during heated council meetings to scuttle discussions meant to arrive at critical decisions on how to regulate the scrap metal sector," he stated.
Mukhwana claimed that the intimidation has contributed to the slow pace of the implementation of the Scrap Metal Act of 2015 aimed at regulating the sector.
He told the Members of Parliament (MPs) that the constitution of the council needed to be changed urgently to weed out the rogue elements.
The PS called on the lawmakers to back his bill proposing the amendment of the act to do away with the Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) from SMC.
"A representative of the private sector has even taken the Council to court, yet he is still a member. As MPs, please help us to pass the bill so that we can remove Cofek as a member of the council," he begged.
In response to the accusation, committee chair and Embakasi North MP James Gakuya asked the PS to dissolve the council.
Kenyans.co.ke reached out to SMC for their response to the allegations but got no feedback by the time this article was published.
Established in 2015 in accordance with the Scrap Metal Act, its main role is to advise the Trade Cabinet Secretary (CS) on measures and mechanisms for regulating the scrap metal industry in ensuring economic growth.
Other roles include advising the CS on the protection of public health and conformity to the principles of environmental stewardship and methods of attracting investors on the utilization of excess scrap materials
It also provides counsel on appropriate measures and mechanisms for protecting public interest against vandalism, and theft of utility infrastructure and private property.
Its composition includes a Chairperson appointed by the CS, the Commissioner from the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Inspector General of Police, PSs for Industrialization and transport and five nominees.
Nominees are drawn from the Scrap Metal Dealers Association, the metal cottage industry, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Cofek and large utility companies or agencies in charge of infrastructure.
