Business men in Athi River Town, deling in scrap metals have been warned against engaging in unscrupulous deals thereby rendering their operations illegal.
Speaking in Athi River Town on Thursday, Mlolongo Assistant Commissioner, Obed Mose, said majority of the scrap metal dealers were reportedly engaging in illegal trade.
"It has come to my attention that a number of scrap metal dealers in Athi River engage in illicit businesses as they want to gain a lot of wealth easily and fast," said Mose.
Mose said the dealers ask teenagers to steal valuable scrap metals from private investors, companies or other business men who later sell the metals to them at cheaper prices.
Mose, who is also the Athi River Sub-County Scrap Metals and Allied Product Security Committee chairman said there is a law which regulates the scrap metal business industry.
“The committee is restructuring itself for efficiency and better enforcement of laws that regulate the industry in a bid to curb the menace,” said Mose.
Mose said several children and youth had been arrested stealing metals, from various different owners in the entire Mavoko Sub-County including East African Portland Cement Company and Kenya Railways Corporation.
He said the traders also target metal bars along roads within Athi River, especially along Mombasa and Namanga Roads used to show road signs, reflectors among others.
Mose said the committee is committed to ensuring that all those found engaging in the illicit scrap metal trade are arrested and arraigned in court.