Last Thursday, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a ban on scrap metal trade.
He said some dealers target key infrastructural installations for metals, which calls for a review of the trade. This will include policing the sourcing, trade and export of scrap metal.
A snapshot from the Kenya Urban Road Authority shows the extent of the vandalism.
Between July and September, more than 30 street poles worth Sh2.5 million were mowed down and carted away by vandals in Nairobi in an organised crime syndicate.
Authority director general Silas Kinoti says road signs and other road furniture have not been spared.
The SGR is also a target of metal thieves who disregard the safety of the rail users.
The Scrap Metal Act was passed to enable traders conduct legit business.
It stipulates raders must maintain a register to indicate the source and contacts of those they buy metal from, their hours of operation and report to the police those delivering suspiciously acquired metal.
Dealers have operated with utmost impunity, buying metal from any seller without care for the source.
This cannot continue unabated and the police and other security apparatus must crack down on the culprits.
Courts must mete out stiff penalties
For now, the Presidential ban is in order until the dealers clean up their acts.
Quote of the Day: “Harsh laws are at times better than no laws at all.”
Winston Churchill
The Prime Minister of Britain died on January 24, 1965
