Police and Kenya Revenue Authority officials have arrested truck drivers ferrying scrap metal to Tanzania using fake National Environment Management Authority licenses.
The custom officials intercepted the trucks ferrying scrap batteries to Tanzania using the Taveta border point.
Confirming the arrest, Scrap Metal Council chairperson Francis Mugo said upon inspection, it was established that the Nema license the driver was using was fake.
“One of the trucks was escorted by KRA officials to the Customs offices at Taveta where it is being held. We are investigating how the owner managed to get the Nema license before he is arraigned in court,” Mugo said.
The other truck is being processed awaiting the verification of documents provided by the driver before action is taken.
Nema director general Mamo Mamo said his officers were investigating the authenticity of the license provided by the traders.
“My officers are in the process of investigating the validity of the documents after which action will be taken,” Mamo said.
KRA chairman Anthony Mwaura said the authority will intensify surveillance along all border points to rid them of smugglers.
Mwaura however warned that stern action would be taken against customs officers found to be colluding with the smugglers along the said border points.
The truck, belonging to Shallin Enterprises based in Mombasa, was ferrying 10 tonnes of scrap batteries.
Mugo said most of the scrap metal from vandalised infrastructure is smuggled out of the country.
“We have established that most of the vandalised materials are smuggled to neighbouring countries where the enforcement aspect is a bit relaxed,” said the council chairperson.
The Scrap Metal Council numerously raised concerns over the increased cases of smuggling of scrap metal out of the country and is urging agencies in the security sector to up their efforts to stop unscrupulous traders from operating.
Mugo said the most smuggled metal has been scrap batteries which are in high demand in neighbouring countries.
Police have this year alone intercepted over 50 trucks ferrying scrap batteries worth millions to Tanzania, but only a few were charged in court.
According to Mugo, most of those ferrying scrap to the neighbouring markets have no valid Scrap Metal Council license or any other as required by law.
“The council appreciates the police for doing a good job and further calls on all scrap metal dealers across the country to make sure they have valid licenses for them to be allowed to trade,” Mugo said.
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.
“Additionally, we urge all authorised scrap dealers and steel millers countrywide to support our cause to end vandalism through shunning the purchase of illegally obtained Metal,” Mugo said.
The council has since protested to KRA 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.
