Scrap metal dealers seek to have team disbanded
By Anthony.Mwangi, February 20, 2023Dealers in the scrap metal industry now want the Scrap Metal Council disbanded for failing to curb illegal trade of smuggling the materials to neighbouring countries.
Smuggling of scrap metal especially used batteries has been rampant in the recent past with officials from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) having to intervene to arrest the situation.
Under the law export of scrap metal is prohibited but unscrupulous traders have been capitalising on the porous Kenya/ Tanzania and Uganda borders to smuggle the material.
Intercepted trucks
In the last two months, KRA officials have intercepted trucks ferrying scrap batteries to Tanzania but this has not stopped the traders from smuggling the scrap materials since they are licensed to operate.
Outrageously, the trucks belong to a trader known to many including the Council that issued the license to operate but has not acted to punish the said businessman for breaking the law.
Players in the industry are now calling on Trade and Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria to either disband the Scrap Metal Council or pick new members who understand the industry.
“The council is toothless, it cannot bite, people are smuggling scrap metals as if there is no law. The council should move in and cancel licenses of those involved in the vice,” said Peter Wafula of battery Manufacturers Association.
Battery manufacturers have already expressed fears that they will soon run short of raw materials following increased exportation of scrap batteries to Tanzania.
According to Wafula, the Council’s presence has not been felt since inception adding that most of its members are people who are not conversant with the industry.