The National Police Service-Kenya have today arrested two managers of two scrap metal yards in Majengo, Kilifi County, acting on a tip-off from concerned residents about rogue dealers.
Motorcycle theft in Kilifi has increased recently, and the police decided to address the issue by raiding the suspected scrap metal yards.
Officers from Mtwapa Police Station recovered one motorcycle and stolen motorcycle parts in plastic sacks, which the police positively linked to broader thefts of infrastructure like power lines and road signs across Kenya, including along Waiyaki Highway.
“We commend members of the public for providing information that led to the arrests and recovery. The National Police Service (NPS) remains committed to serving and protecting the public,” The National Police Service commented on the successful arrest.
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Scrap metal theft is a widespread problem in Kenya, including the dismantling and sale of stolen motorcycles, often involving rogue dealers who buy stolen goods, contributing to vandalism of infrastructure like electricity wires and road signs.
Despite regulations like the Scrap Metal Act of 2015, enforcement remains challenging, with smuggling across borders noted in recent reports.
The two managers of the respective yards were arrested and remain in police custody, pending processing and court arraignment.
Research from ISS Africa on how scrap metal smuggling could cripple East Africa’s infrastructure highlights that despite new regulations, vandalism and theft feeding scrap metal smuggling remain prevalent, with interceptions at borders like Taveta in May 2023.
Similarly, companies like Kenya Power and Telkom Kenya have been reported to lose billions to vandals, with the Scrap Metal Act of 2015 yet to be fully implemented.
Updated penalties in 2022, including fines of approximately Ksh13 million and five-year prison sentences for repeat offenders, have not significantly reduced the problem.
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The Scrap Metal Council, established under the 2015 Act, aims to regulate the industry, protect public interest against vandalism, and advise on measures to curb theft, as outlined on their website.
The operation in Kilifi is a microcosm of Kenya’s broader struggle with scrap metal theft, which has economic, social, and infrastructural implications.
The involvement of the public in providing tips is a positive step, but some citizens still illustrate skepticism toward law enforcement, with accusations of corruption and ineffective regulation.
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