Bill to check vandals imposes Sh20m fine, 7 years jail term

By ALPHONCE SHIUNDU

The government has finally published a Bill with punitive fines and jail terms for those found vandalising railways, road signs and electricity wires, as they scavenge for scrap metal.

The provision in the Scrap Metal Bill, 2014 imposes a maximum fine of Sh20 million and a maximum jail term of seven years for vandals.

The Bill comes as good news to utility firms and roads and rail managers. The new law also puts a tight leash around exporters of scrap metals, because it requires the authority of the Cabinet Secretary of Finance and makes it mandatory for the Principal Secretary of Industrialisation to sign the certificate for each consignment.

The Bill also sets up a powerful council that will vet all dealers of scrap metals before issuing them with licenses to deal in the commodity. 

The licenses will be valid for one year, and will be renewed after a thorough vetting process. The Scrap Metal Council will have officials from the Kenya Revenue Authority.