Scrap metal vandals are costing Kisumu City Council millions of shillings annually, reports have revealed.
Figures by annual reports have revealed that Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company (Kiwasco) and the Municipal Council of Kisumu have linked the poor state of water and sewerage system in the lakeside city to the unscrupulous scrap metal-iron trade.
The birth of a steel miller in Kibos, just outside the city has witnessed an increased hostility on the metallic infrastructure. The most vulnerable being those found in unsecure areas of estates and the main bus stage.
According to the city assistant engineer, Moses Werunga, manholes and steel grated storm water drain conduits are the most sought after since sales depend on weight. Others are bridge guard rails, traffic signs and lamp posts.
“Those who vandalise infrastructure are normally after ‘quick cash’ and have no regard for the value of the metallic structure that cost the municipality millions annually,” he says.
A manhole, he says, goes for between Sh5,000 and Sh12,000 while a six-meter grated steel goes for a staggering Sh120,000.
“The pieces of metal-iron are sold to the traders on weighing scale on a kilo basis where a one goes for as little as Sh10 amongst the dealers. Those who sell them do not recognise the value of the metals that cost the council thousands of shillings to purchase,” he said.
According to Kenya Scrap Metal Association (KMSA), iron and steel scrap go for as little as Sh20 per kilogram, down from Sh42 three years ago.
The vandalism has now forced the firm to adopt cemented slabs and plastic covers. They’re also being forced to relocate manholes to more secure areas.
He says that when drain pipe seals are removed, the drainage channels are prone to waste disposal which eventually clogs the system, creating filth.
“The concrete slabs are heavy making regular clearing of the storm water drain pipes difficult,” says Werunga.
Kiwasco which has decried sabotage of its service delivery system is opting for automation of services to alleviate losses occurred through by-passes and illegal connections.
According to the corporate communications executive, Gregory Odero, the firm has launched a campaign to curb the increasing acts of vandalism on its system with a success of over 500 cases reported since the campaign began July 2012.
The campaign christened Shika Mwizi Pata Chapaa aims at checking water meter thefts and illegal connections rampant in the municipality and is paying off.
The incentives to those who report such cases are a Sh10,000 for each meter found, and Sh1,000 for each confirmed illegal connection case. The company collects over Sh400,000 a month from surcharges, meter thefts and illegal connections.