Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya has thrown his weight behind Benson Sande Ndeta, the owner of Savannah Clinker Company, following his arrest on charges of fraud and forgery involving Ksh700 million.
The businessman was apprehended on Thursday, November 28, 2024.
Speaking to the media on Friday, November 29, MP Salasya condemned the arrest, describing it as an attempt to tarnish the reputation of a well-established local investor.
“I’m standing here in solidarity with my brother Benson Ndeta. He comes from my constituency. He has been in the cement industry for 30 years. He is not a briefcase investor, not opportunistic. He is a reputable investor in the industry. He is being fought because of his background; he has experience and capacity. And they are criminalizing him so he does not run it,” Peter Salasya told journalists.
The MP accused unnamed cartels of trying to monopolize the clinker and cement sectors, leading to a surge in prices despite the availability of local resources. He argued that Ndeta’s investments, including the establishment of a local clinker plant, were a significant step towards reducing costs and boosting job creation.
“Maneno ya simiti imekua shida kwa hii nchi, na cartels wanasumbua sana. Cement has become a problem in this country because of cartels,” Salasya said.
He also linked Ndeta’s arrest to his bid to acquire Bamburi Cement, one of Kenya’s largest cement manufacturers, suggesting it was an orchestrated move to frustrate his ambitions.
“This guy has acquired land, and he is ready to acquire Bamburi Cement. But now they are criminalizing him. Arresting a genuine local investor and detaining him in cells just because he qualifies to take over Bamburi is unfair,” Salasya added.
The MP vowed to stand by Ndeta, insisting that he should not be detained until Monday and calling for his immediate release. Salasya emphasized the importance of protecting local investors from undue harassment and manipulation by powerful interests.
“Ndeta is creating jobs for our young people. We will stand firm, and we won’t allow our very own to be behind bars. Hawezi lala ndani hadi Monday. He must be protected from cartels and released immediately,” he said.
8 charges
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed that Benson Ndeta and his co-accused, Charles Hill Jr., face eight charges, including forgery, conspiracy to defraud, and obtaining credit by false pretences. The charges stem from reports that the duo forged corporate guarantee documents to secure a USD 35 million (Ksh4.5 billion) loan from Absa Bank for Savannah Cement’s factory expansion.
According to ODPP, investigations revealed that Hill Jr., an American based in Delaware, fraudulently signed documents as a director of Savannah Heights, one of Savannah Cement’s parent companies, without lawful authority. The DPP requested Hill Jr.’s extradition to Kenya and further forensic investigations into his signatures.
“Upon charges, a warrant of arrest shall be issued and an extradition request shall be made to the competent authority of the USA for the surrender of Charles Hill Jr from the USA to Kenya to face the said charges,” Senior prosecutor Jacinta Nyamosi wrote to the DCI in a letter dated November 25.
Azimio leaders defend Ndeta
Additionally, top Azimio leaders, including Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa, visited Ndeta at Muthaiga Police Station to advocate for his release on bond. Ndeta’s company is reportedly a leading contender in the buyout of Bamburi Cement.
“The arrest of Kenyan industrialist Benson Sande Ndeta today is intended to stop his bid for Bamburi Cement, by hook or by crook. This is what our country has become. They attempted to smear his name on social media. They want Mr. Ndeta indicted. However, Benson Ndeta is not Adani! Mr. Ndeta is a hard-working Kenyan who dared to dream, and we demand his immediate and unconditional release from custody at Muthaiga Police Station, Nairobi. Mr. Ndeta is not a flight risk and there is no reason to keep him here overnight. We will go to court to defend the interests of the country,” Kalonzo said in a statement on his X account.
