Kenya Power Urges Total Ban On Copper Exports to Curb Vandalism

23 May 2024
Capital FM (Nairobi)
By Correspondent

Nairobi — Kenya Power is calling for a total ban on copper exports to curb rampant vandalism of power infrastructure.

The utility company is also advocating for stringent action against rogue scrap metal traders.

Its CEO and MD, Joseph Siror, cited a connection between local trade in waste copper and vandalism.

"Our investigations have revealed a direct link between vandalism and copper waste business," Siror said yesterday during a joint stakeholders' forum attended by representatives from the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK), the Scrap Metal Council, and scrap metal dealers.

"For example, between January and May 2022 when the government banned scrap metal dealing, we had zero cases of vandalism," he added.

"However, immediately the moratorium was lifted, we saw a serious spike in vandalism cases, and 76 transformers worth KSh 68 million were vandalised between May and December 2022."

Siror further called for the vetting of all stakeholders engaged in the scrap metal trade, including local collectors, main scrap metal dealers, smelters, and exporters.

"We propose that all traders dealing with scrap metal, especially copper and aluminium, must declare their sources to ensure traceability and accountability," he added.

Joint inspection of business premises to ensure compliance with the law and filling of returns by dealers as per the Scrap Metal Act and Scrap Metal regulations should be implemented, added Siror.

He also called for a more robust regulatory framework in the scrap metal trade to help weed out rogue elements who are direct beneficiaries of vandalism.

Siror hailed the provisions in the Energy Act 2019, which criminalize tampering with electricity installations, energy theft, vandalism, and damage to streetlights and power infrastructure, which he said were playing a big role in combating vandalism.

The Act prescribes a Sh5 million fine or a five-year prison sentence, or both, for offenders.

Already this year, the company has lost a total of 78 transformers worth Sh78 million through vandalism.

In 2023, 365 transformers worth Sh328 million were lost due to theft.

By John Muchiri

Read the original article on Capital FM.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2024 Capital FM. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.