Local scrap metal dealers will now apply for fresh operating licenses from the Scrap Metal Council after government lifted the ban on the commodity.
New measures seeking to regulate the sector have been outlined and are awaiting to be enacted into law by the Office of the Attorney General.
The Measures
The measures which will require the recommendation and special vetting of all copper dealers in the country, will see the Numerical Machining Complex, a government-owned body, given the rights to trade in scrap metal disposed from critical infrastructure projects.
According to Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, the measures will see the lifting of a ban on scrap metal trade declared by President Uhuru Kenyatta in late January following a rise in vandalism cases in the country.
“We are not going to allow the sector to continue operating in unlicensed manner and no amount of political intimidation or pressure will make us abandon the resolve,” said Matiang’i.
The ministry further outlined the fees for the dealers,millers and the smelters that is to be paid annually.
“In the proposed regulations, licensed dealers, millers and smelters will be charged Ksh.250,000 in annual fees while the amount for agents and jua kali collectors will be Ksh.150,000 and Ksh.50,000 respectively,” read the statement.
In a meeting attended by scrap metal dealers and regulatory agencies on Wednesday,the CS also noted that the ban will officially lifted by the AG after they comply with the directives.
Trade CS Betty Maina also noted that approximately 3,900 scrap metal dealers are operating illegally with only 20 having licenses to deal in the trade.
