This archive report was first published on 20 January 2022.
On January 20, 2022, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a ban on exports and dealings in scrap metal, a move aimed at curbing rising vandalism in the country.
The ban, which was announced during a passing out parade at the National Police College in Kiganjo, comes at a time when the country has witnessed a significant increase in vandalism, particularly on power lines.
According to President Kenyatta, the ban is necessary to prevent the export of scrap metal that may have originated from vandalized infrastructure, including power lines and transmission towers.
Speaking at the event, President Kenyatta stated, "As of today, we will no longer allow, and we have put a moratorium on the export or the buying or selling of any scrap material until we have put in place proper guidelines that will ensure that material is not coming from the hard-won investments that the Kenyan people have made."
The ban is expected to have a significant impact on traders who operate in the scrap metal business, with many relying on exports to make a living.
However, the move is seen as a necessary step to address the growing problem of vandalism, which has resulted in several high-profile incidents, including a national blackout that affected major cities in the country.
