Authorities pursue scrap metal sellers linked to vandalism of guard rails on Thika Road
In January 2022, former President Uhuru Kenyatta imposed an indefinite ban on the scrap metal trade to curb the growing theft of vital materials.
Kenyans have been warned against engaging in or supporting vandalism of public infrastructure after a video surfaced online showing individuals tampering with road rails along Thika Road in Nairobi's Ngara area.
The Scrap Metal Council has warned that those found abetting such activities will face stiff legal action.
The council's chairperson, Francis Mugo, issued the warning following the viral video, which depicted individuals vandalising road rails for scrap metal.
Mugo stated that arrests had already been made and that law enforcement officers are actively pursuing additional suspects involved in the crime.
"Our attention has been drawn to a video circulating online showing individuals vandalizing road rails along the Thika Superhighway within the Ngara area of Nairobi. Arrests have already been made, and our law enforcement officers are actively pursuing additional suspects," Mugo said in a statement, adding that investigations are underway to trace where the stolen scrap metal is being sold.
Mugo further urged scrap metal dealers across the country to refrain from engaging in or aiding vandalism by refusing to purchase metals stolen from public infrastructure.
"We urge all scrap metal dealers across the country to desist from engaging in or aiding vandalism by refusing to provide a market for stolen metals from public infrastructure," he said.
"We also caution all scrap metal dealers that anyone found culpable of aiding or abetting vandalism will face stiff legal action as prescribed by the law."
The warning comes after years of increasing vandalism targeting critical national infrastructure.
In January 2022, former President Uhuru Kenyatta imposed an indefinite ban on the scrap metal trade to curb the growing theft of vital materials. These included theft and vandalism of road barriers, guardrails, utility infrastructure, conductors, cables, copper wire, railway gauge blocks and rails, transformers and other materials.
The former president labelled the theft as "nothing less than economic sabotage, which is treasonous".
In April 2022, the government revealed that the ban had helped save the country Sh3 billion in damages to key infrastructure. The ban remained in place while the government worked on creating regulations to control the sourcing, trade, and export of scrap metals.
In May 2024, the Scrap Metal Council took additional measures by suspending the renewal and issuance of export licenses in response to the continued vandalism. The council urged all licensed dealers to comply with the law and avoid contributing to the destruction of national infrastructure. It also reminded dealers to verify the source of their materials as per the Scrap Metal Act.
The Scrap Metal Council, established under the Scrap Metal Act No.1 of 2015, is tasked with regulating the scrap metal industry in Kenya. The council highlighted that the country has been experiencing power shortages in various regions due to the vandalism of electricity infrastructure, highlighting the serious implications of such criminal activities.
Top Stories Today
