KURA Raises Red Flag on Mounting Scrap Metal Thefts

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has warned that organized scrap metal theft incidents in the country are on the rise. This poses huge threat to country’s infrastructure and cost it millions of dollars for repairs. The agency has raised red flag on mounting screap theft incidents which mainly involve cables from public distribution networks, street lights, guard rails and road signs.

John Cheboi, communications director, KURA condemned the acts by crime groups. They not only risks the lives of road users, but also cost millions of dollars towards maintenance and repairing activities. Recently police had revealed a gang which had stolen around 30 street poles worth around Euros 45,000 for cash.

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KURA had recently announced reward of up to KES 100,000 to those providing information about scrap metal thieves.

However, industry participants noted that proper implementation of key provisions of the Scrap Metal Act would help to cut theft incidents. Although the Act was officially enacted in 2015, many of the pre-requisite conditions including licensing of scrap metal dealers are still not complete. The insufficient regulation of the country’s scrap metal industry encourages vandalism of public infrastructure, they noted.