- Some traders were still exporting mainly scrap automotive batteries using “panya routes”.
- Offenders are liable to a jail term of up to 20 years or a fine of Sh20 million or both.
Image: COURTESY
The Kenya Revenue Authority has accused security agencies along the country’s porous borders for inaction to tame smuggling of products.
KRA acting Commissioner, Customs and Border Control Pamela Ahago claimed that some of the security officers are colluding with culprits to perpetuate the vice.
Ahago said smuggling, especially of scrap metal, has been rampant and efforts by customs officials to arrest the situation were being hampered by lack of collaboration between the two agencies.
“We have written to the Ministry of Interior seeking a meeting to discuss this vice, it has become a major concern on our side,” Ahago said yesterday.
Despite scrap metal export being outlawed, some traders were still exporting mainly scrap automotive batteries using “panya routes”.
Ahago commended customs officials at the Taveta border point for their relentless efforts to control smuggling, especially of scrap metal.
Last week, customs officials at the Taveta border intercepted two trucks exporting scrap batteries to Tanzania without the necessary documents.
One of the trucks has since been impounded since no one has claimed it.
Ahago said KRA is committed to eradicating the vice but called for more efforts by the industry players.
She also called for more stringent penalties levied on scrap metal dealers illegally exporting the product to neighbouring countries.
Earlier this year, a driver was arrested and the truck impounded at Oloitoktok in Kajiado county transporting scrap batteries to Tanzania.
The two drivers were later convicted and fined Sh300,000 and their trucks forfeited to the state.
Nema director general Mamo Mamo said the authority, in partnership with other relevant government agencies, had adopted an intelligence-based enforcement approach, where they gather intelligence before striking.
“This approach has really worked and has truly borne fruit, with arrests of the offenders dealing with hazardous waste along our porous borders,” he said.
Scrap metal dealers have opted to use unmanned porous borders to transport the items after the police and KRA tightened inspection at the border points.
Unscrupulous traders are using unmanned points in Busia, Namanga, Taveta, and Lungalunga as the main routes to drive the illegal scrap metal trade.
Offenders are liable to a jail term of up to 20 years or a fine of Sh20 million or both. The owners of the two trucks transporting the scrap batteries will also forfeit the vehicles to the state, according to the Scrap Metals Act.
Kenya banned the export of scrap metals, which includes spent-lead-acid–batteries (SLABs), through the law enacted in 2015.
The legislation is meant to support the retention of raw materials for value addition and provides stringent conditions under which exports of lead would be permitted.
Automotive battery manufacturers have over the past few years been pushing for full implementation of the law that is critical to safeguarding jobs.
Automotive battery manufacturers rely on lead extracted and recycled to make the batteries, referred to as recycling SLABs.
The East African region has two lead-acid battery manufacturers, namely Associated Battery Manufacturers and Uganda Batteries Ltd