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Govt may ban importation of second hand computers

The government is contemplating imposing a ban on second-hand computers to curb dumping and encourage local assembling. A study on electronic waste conducted in Kenya in 2008 indicated that the country generated 3,000 tonnes of e-waste from computers, monitors and printers in 2007. Information and Communications PS, Dr Bitange Ndemo, says his ministry is proposing to Treasury to include in the next year’s Budget a ban on used computers. The government zero-rated duty on imported computers in 2006, a development that led to rise in imports. Dr Ndemo said last week over the years many government incentives have made new computers affordable, adding there was no need for imports with short life span that led to accumulation of e-waste. While new computers can last up to eight years, the second-hand machines can only go for three years. “The organisations shipping in these used computers are being paid to get them out of those countries but are disguising themselves as donors assisting Kenya’s schools,” said the PS. “It is cheaper for companies in the developed world to pay these organisations to bring the computers here than destroy them.” A study conducted by Eco Ethics International in 2007 on the impact of imported second-hand computers in the country show that those dealing in these computers started bringing them in 2003 but the number doubled after the removal of VAT.