Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir on Friday, May 20 hinted at reinstating a ban imposed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta on scrap metal.
While addressing the media, the CS noted that power lines were most targeted by the vandals who leave Kenyans disadvantaged.
He warned that the vandals should not test the government as it had the power to shut down the industry.
"When you became 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 remarked.
According to the Energy Principal Secretary (PS) Alex Wachira, the country loses one transformer a day that is later sold to the dealers for a lower price.
Wachira noted the vandalism hindered the Last Mile Connectivity Programme (LMCP).
On their part, Chairperson of the Scrap Metal Dealers Association Evans Ng'ang'a vowed to liase with the government to weed out cartels in the industry.
"We will be giving the government data to help in the investigations and deal with the menace together," Nga'ang'a added.
These sentiments came days after the Scrap Metal Council (SMC) on Thursday, May 18 sought help from the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome as they embarked on a nationwide crackdown.
SMC Chairperson Francis Mugo emphasised that all dealers found operating without licenses will be charged as per the Scrap Metal Act.
"We urge all government agencies planning to dispose of scrap metal to do so in consultation with the Scrap Metal Council," Mugo stated.
Notably, in January 2022, Uhuru declared a ban on all scrap metal dealers in the country after a vandalism incident led to a countrywide blackout.
"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 stated.
The trade was however reinstated in May 2022 but under strict measures where only licensed dealers were to operate.
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