Council, police and tax collector partnership to fight smuggling of scrap
By Anthony.Mwangi, June 5, 2023The Scrap Metal Council wants to partner with the Kenya Revenue Authority and the police in the fight against smuggling of scrap metal to neighbouring countries.
Council chairman Francis Mugo (above) decried the massive smuggling of scrap batteries to Tanzania which he said posed a serious threat to the local industries.
Mugo said in an interview that he has already written to the two bodies, seeking their intervention on the matter.
“I have written to the Commissioner General and the Inspector General of Police on the need to work together in fighting illegal business along our borders,” Mugo said.
He added; “We can only control the vice by working in cooperation. The council does not man the border points, it’s the work of the police and the KRA, if we work together, we will easily stop the illegal business.”
Raised issue
He named Taveta, Busia and Namanga border points as those mostly used by the smugglers to export scrap metal to Tanzania and Uganda.
“I was in Mombasa last week and raised the matter with the county commissioner on the need to corroborate so as to contain the vice. I will be in Busia and Kajiado for a similar assignment,” Mugo said.
The council chairman told those engaging in the illegal business that their days were numbered and that the agency has already embarked on an exercise aimed at weeding out rogue dealers within the industry.
“The law is clear on this, that exporting scrap metal is illegal and therefore they are doing so knowing that they are engaging in illegal business. The council will not hesitate to cancel their licences,” he warned.
KRA officials have in the last month intercepted five trucks transporting scrap batteries to Tanzania, along Taveta and Loitoktok border points.
Mugo added that dealers have already been informed that their licenses will be revoked if they are caught with materials suspected to have been stolen or vandalised from critical public and private sectors infrastructure in the country.
Mugo further indicated that the council was monitoring the industry to conform to regulations with any players found not in compliance arrested and prosecuted.
“We have so far revoked the license of 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,” he said.
Mugo also urged government agencies that need to dispose of scrap metal to do so in consultation with the council as a way to curb the vice.