Kisumu scrap metal dealers pleads with Uhuru to lift the ban

Kisumu County scraps metal dealers have appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to lift the ban on trading scrap metal. 

The dealers led by their chairman Evans Koech noted that the ban is having a ripple effect on the economy of the country since employment in the industry has been shut down.

Koech noted that they have already aligned to the set rules and regulations set by the national government on scrap metal. 

"The ban was temporary until proper regulations are put in place of which all have complied with," Koech said.

Speaking to the media in Kisumu, Koech added that issues of insecurity had gone up because the ban was having a ripple effect on the whole economy, and most of the youths who were involved in the business are now jobless. 

"We are appealing to the government so that they can open the scrape business so that people can have employment. We will lose a lot of lives unnecessarily due to this, we have auctioneers on our members' necks" he added. 

Koech gave an example saying that his business alone employed over 200 people directly and on his workload, he had about 35 people who are all now jobless. 

"Our trucks most which were already loaded with scrap metal are lying idle at our stations following the ban, the drivers of over the 15 lorries are also jobless," he said.

The Association Scrap Metal Patron John Onduu noted that people who were indirectly earning from the initiative were many and this should not be ignored. 

"More than 4 million people are directly and indirectly employed through the scrap metal business and being in an electioneering period, these numbers should not be ignored," Onduu said. 

The Association secretary Everline Egesa noted that they are stuck with Lorries loaded with scrap metal while banks are after them to recover their loans.

Egesa said they have been pushed out of the business at the time the country is facing a high cost of living.

"It's been difficult for us all including most women who are employed in the sector, we are left stranded with school fees, banks are towing away our vehicles due to unfinished loans. We are suffering".