Scrap metal dealers want more punitive penalties slapped on those caught smuggling the materials out aThey blamed lack of enforceaof licences of those caught in the vice for the escalation of the illegal business along the Kenyan borders.

In the last one week, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officials have intercepted five trucks exporting scrap batteries to Tanzania through the Taveta border point.

KRA officer in charge of the station Peter Kiilu said his officers have intensified surveillance along the Kenya Tanzania border but called on well concerted efforts by the security personnel to fight the vice.

Under the Scrap Metal Act, those found exporting scrap metal are liable to a Sh10 million fine or a three-year jail term.

While police officers manning the border points have been blamed for not doing enough to arrest the culprits, the Scrap Metal Council has also been accused of not enforcing the law which demands that licences of those found exporting scrap metal cancelled.

Dealers now want the government to disband the Scrap Metal Council saying it is the weakest link in the fight against the increase of smuggling of materials to neighboring countries.

They have called on Trade and Industrialization Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria to walk the talk of protecting Kenyan industries by disbanding the council.

“The council is toothless in curbing the illegal trade. It is high time that the CS stamps authority and disband the council,” said Battery Manufacturers Association spokesman Peter Wafula.

He called on Kuria to replace  the current members of the council with those who understand how the industry operates to save dealers who are almost being driven out of business.

“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,” Wafula maintained.

 “The Council should have by now cancelled licenses of all the traders whose trucks were intercepted and charged in court,”  Wafula added. Mamo Mamo, Nema director-general said that the authority, in partnership with other relevant government agencies, had adopted an intelligence-based enforcement approach.