Laikipia scrap metal dealers want ban lifted

Scrap metal dealers in Laikipia have decried the move by President Uhuru Kenyatta to impose a moratorium on export and trade of scrap metals on January 20 this year.

The dealers appealed to the President to lift the ban, pledging to adhere to all the regulations stipulated by the government to weed out unscrupulous traders in their midst.

The ban was imposed after the sector was being blamed for vandalism of critical infrastructure in the country.

Led by their County Chairman Simon Nyori, the traders said the sector provides thousands of jobs especially in the jua kali sector who have now been rendered hopeless with no income.

The group lamented that they are now in a fix, with schools set to resume in a few weeks to come.

Under the new regulations stipulated by the State, the dealers will have to be licensed afresh before the ban is lifted.

Licensed dealers, millers and smelters will pay Ksh 250,000 in annual fees, agents will part with Ksh 150,000, while Jua Kali ‘collectors’ will pay Ksh 50,000. This is on top of the existing county licenses they must secure.

All dealers must seek fresh licences and register with a business organization that will operate on a model similar to matatu saccos. These will, in the end, create self-regulation.

The Scrap Metal Act was signed in 2015 but is yet to take effect due to lack of regulations to govern the trade. As a result, most dealers are not licensed.