By Malik Shariff
The Officer Commanding the Anti-Vandalism Unit, Joshua Chacha, has raised alarm over increasing cases of extortion, harassment, and collusion within the scrap metal trade, warning that rogue officers and organized criminal groups may be fueling widespread vandalism across Nairobi.
Speaking during the Ministry of Interior and National Administration’s Jukwaa la Usalama meeting held at the Kenya School of Government in Nairobi, Chacha said the scrap metal business remains a legitimate enterprise that should not be subjected to intimidation or unlawful interference.
The meeting — part of a national security engagement series being held across all 47 counties, and led by Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen — brought together law enforcement officers, government representatives, and community leaders to discuss emerging security threats and collaboration mechanisms.
> “The scrap metal business is just like any other business, but extortion has been too much, and something must be done,” said Chacha. “In February this year, a signal was issued directing all officers not to extort or harass scrap metal dealers. Unfortunately, we have continued to receive complaints.”
Chacha revealed that a group of young men claiming to be from the Nairobi Area have been using private vehicles to harass and extort legitimate scrap metal traders, often pretending to be on official assignments.
> “These groups have taken advantage of the situation. They pretend to be officers on duty, but their real intent is to exploit traders,” he explained.
The Anti-Vandalism Unit’s investigations have also uncovered an organized network involving junior officers colluding with criminals who vandalize public infrastructure such as road signs, streetlights, and communication installations.
> “We have gone too far in our investigations and found that this is not just petty vandalism. It is an organized crime ring involving some of our own officers working with those who vandalize Nairobi’s infrastructure,” Chacha said.
He pledged that the Anti-Vandalism Unit, in coordination with variouse stakeholder , will intensify surveillance and disciplinary action against any officer found complicit. The Unit is also working closely with the Scrap Metal Council, Kenya Power, Kenya Railways, and county enforcement teams to regulate the trade and trace stolen materials.
Chacha urged scrap metal dealers to report any cases of vandalism,that continually taint the image of legitimate traders to the nearest police station or directly to the Anti-Vandalism Unit, assuring them of protection and swift response.
> “We are determined to clean up this trade and restore order. Legitimate dealers should not suffer because of a few bad actors,” he concluded.
The Kenyan government temporarily banned the export of scrap metal in 2022 to curb vandalism of public property, later reopening the sector under strict licensing and traceability conditions. Despite these measures, extortion and unregulated trade continue to threaten public infrastructure and trust in law enforcement.
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