Illegal scrap metal exports to attract Sh10m fine
What you need to know:
- It will comprise a chairperson appointed by the Cabinet secretary, who has at least five years experience in the public or private sector, Principal Secretary Transport, the Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority or a representative.
Illegal exporters of scrap metal will be liable to a fine of Sh10 million, a five-year jail term or both.
Under the new Scrap Metal Act published last week, regulation of the trade will be supervised by the Scrap Metal Council.
It will also handle the issuance of licences and the receiving, vetting and processing of all applications for the grant and renewals.
The council will also receive complaints and disputes from the public and within the scrap metal industry.
It will comprise a chairperson appointed by the Cabinet secretary, who has at least five years experience in the public or private sector, Principal Secretary Transport, the Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority or a representative.
Others will be the Inspector- General of Police and the Principal Secretary of Industrialisation. The Cabinet secretary will then nominate one person from the Scrap Metal Dealers Association and another from the metal cottage industry.
The Kenya Association of Manufacturers, large utility companies or agencies in charge of infrastructure will appoint one person each on rotational basis.
The Consumer Federation of Kenya will appoint a representative to the council.
The new law comes with stringent conditions which include outlawing all current licences meaning that any person dealing in scrap metal will have to apply afresh to the council.
