The government has continued to zero in on notorious scrap metal vandals with a Machakos-based dealer being the latest to lose its licence.
Scrap Metal Council (SMC) announced Tuesday it had revoked both the operations and export licences of Jinxin Commercial.
According to the council, the dealer, a Chinese national who runs a go-down in Athi River was allegedly found in possession of materials from Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC).
"In view of the recent reported misconduct involving Jinxin commercial limited, the council has decided to immediately suspend the license issued to you until further notice," the letter addressed to the company's CEO reads in part
Under the scrap metal Act, the council has the power to take action against any dealer that engages in malpractice.
On Monday, police raided the facility following a tip-off from members of the public and recovered copper materials weighing 29 kilograms.
A Chinese woman national believed to be the owner was arrested and has since been charged and released on a fine.
This comes nearly a month after similar materials including aluminium believed to have been stolen from vandalized power lines and substations were found at the premise.
According to the officers, the suspect has been exporting the materials with the latest being 10 tonnes of copper valued at Sh8 million.
This now brings to four the number of dealers that have so far had their operating licences cancelled for engaging in misconduct.
On Tuesday, Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira and Council’s Chairperson Francis Mugo toured the Athi River police station where the materials are being reserved.
Addressing the press, the officials termed the acts as economic sabotage and warned those engaging in such business of dire consequences.
“If you are exporting copper, you have to tell us where you are producing it from… You are pushing us to a point where are going to put a moratorium on the trade of copper and aluminum,” Wachira said, adding the foreigners risk being deported.
According to the PS, the government was losing at least one transformer each day due to such vandalism.
Mugo on his part said, “It will not be business as usual. We are not going to hesitate to cancel the licences of any dealers engaging in illegal business.”
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