Industry PS disclose how Scrap Metal council members draw out guns in boardrooms during state meetings
Industry Principal Secretary Dr Juma Mukhwana has revealed how members of the Scrap Metal Council intimidate the government into agreeing to their demands.
Speaking to the Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism Committee, Mukhwana disclosed how some members of the council carry guns to the negotiation table to force their arguments.
“Some members draw out their guns and placed them on the table during heated council meetings to scuttle discussions meant to arrive at critical decisions on how to regulate the scrap metal sector,” he stated.
Mukhwana claimed that the intimidation has contributed to the slow pace of the implementation of the Scrap Metal Act of 2015 aimed at regulating the sector.
He told lawmakers that the constitution of the council needed to be changed urgently to remove the rogue individuals.
The PS called on the lawmakers to support his bill proposing the amendment of the act to do away with the Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) from SMC.
“A representative of the private sector has even taken the Council to court, yet he is still a member. As MPs, please help us to pass the bill so that we can remove Cofek as a member of the council,” he asked.
Responding to the claims, committee chair and Embakasi North MP James Gakuya asked the PS to dissolve the council.
The Scrap Metal’s Act objective as established in 2015 is to advise the Trade Cabinet Secretary Act on measures for regulating the scrap metal industry in ensuring economic growth.
Other roles include advising the CS on the protection of public health and conformity to the principles of environmental stewardship and methods of attracting investors on the utilisation of excess scrap materials.
