The Scrap Metal Council (SMC) on Thursday, May 18, sought help from Inspector General Japhet Koome over increased vandalism of property.
In a statement, the council announced that it was embarking on a nationwide crackdown against all business owners across the country dealing with scrap metals without a license.
The council chairman Francis Mugo noted that all those found guilty of dealing in the business without a permit will be arrested and charged in line with the Scrap Metal Act.
"Scrap Metal Council takes exceptional concern on an upsurge in cases of theft and vandalism targeting critical public and private sectors infrastructure in Kenya as widely reported in the country recently," Mugo noted.
In the crackdown, the council noted that they had revoked the Triple Seven Collectors Ltd with immediate effect.
"We are in consultation with the Inspector General of Police and Commissioner General (KRA) to be supplied with information on all misconducts in the scrap metal industry for appropriate action," Mugo stated.
SMC reminded the players in the industry that engaging in vandalism of critical private and public infrastructure will be swiftly dealt with.
Furthermore, the chairman advised government agencies planning to dispose of scrap metal to do so in consultation with the Scrap Metal Council.
Mugo added that the council was in the process of gazetting its inspectors who will be dispatched across the country to monitor activities in the industry.
Notably, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, in January 2022, banned the scrap metal business following increased vandalism.
“As of today, we will no longer allow, and we have put a moratorium on the export or the buying or selling of any scrap material until we have put in place proper guidelines that will ensure that material is not coming from the hard-won investments that the Kenyan people have made,” Uhuru announced.
The former President noted that the most targeted areas were power transmission lines and signboards leading to power outages and defacing the country respectively.
The former Head of State lifted the ban in May 2022 through former Trade Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina who noted that only licensed traders will be allowed to operate.
"All license applicants will be vetted by the multi-agency teams established in each county," she stated.
