Council alarmed by smuggling of scrap metal

The Scrap Metal Council yesterday raised concerns over the increased cases of smuggling of scrap metal out of the country and is urging agencies in the security sector to tame the vice.

Council chairman Francis Mugo said the most smuggled metal has been scrap batteries which are in high demand in neighbouring countries.

Police intercepted a truck ferrying scrap batteries worth millions to Tanzania.
Mugo the the Council received information earlier yesterday that a truck carrying scrap batteries was intercepted at Mtito Adei area.

Upon search it was established that there was no valid Scrap Metal Council License and the said Scrap batteries were from unknown origin. “The Council appreciates the police for doing a good job and further calls on all scrap metal dealers across the country to make sure that they have valid licenses for them to be allowed to trade,” Mugo said in a statement.

Mugo said he had received complaints that the country was running short of scrap batteries due to smuggling and urged the police to intensify patrols along border points.

In a similar incident, six people were arrested for vandalising rails at Oleloliondo-OlKalou in Nyandarua County.
The vandals who were caught in the act of destroying the vital rail infrastructure were arrested by the area police and continue to face charges. “SMC strongly condemns this act of felony and urges members of the public to report such cases to the police in order to win this fight against criminals who are derailing the country’s development,” said Mugo.

He added, “Additionally, we urge all authorised scrap dealers and steel millers countrywide to support our course to end vandalism through shunning purchase of illegally obtained Metal.”

The Scrap Metal Council has since protested to Kenya Revenue Authority over some of its officials at border points, allegedly colluding with scrap metal operators exporting materials to neighbouring countries.

The Council according to Mugo has written a complaint letter to the authority seeking to have the officials punished.