Saboti Member of Parliament (MP) Caleb Amisi has called on the Ministry of Interior to explain the arrest of businessman Benson Sande Ndeta, who was detained on Thursday, November 28, 2024, on charges of fraud and forgery involving Ksh700 million.
In a statement shared on his X account on Friday, November 29, 2024, Amisi criticized the government’s handling of the case, accusing authorities of targeting local entrepreneurs instead of supporting them. He also linked Ndeta’s arrest to his interest in acquiring Bamburi Cement.
“The government should do everything humanly possible to protect local Kenyan entrepreneurs and not frustrate them. Benson Sande Ndeta must be released unconditionally, and an explanation for his arbitrary arrest must be given by the Ministry of Interior. You cannot arrest a businessman for simply expressing an intention to buy Bamburi Company. Instead, go and arrest Adani for misleading the government on full disclosure,” Amisi stated.
The government should do everything humanly possible to protect local kenyan entrepreneurs and not frustrate them.
Benson Sande Ndeta must be released unconditionally, and explanation to his arbitrary arrest must be given by the ministry of interior .
You can not arrest a…— Hon. Caleb Amisi, MP (@Honcalebamisi) November 29, 2024
Ndeta’s arrest
Ndeta and his coaccused Charles Hill Jr., are facing charges of forging corporate guarantee documents to obtain a USD 35 million (Ksh4.5 billion) loan from Absa Bank. According to ODPP, the funds were reportedly intended for the expansion of Savannah Cement’s factory.
According to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), investigations revealed that Hill Jr., an American resident of Delaware, fraudulently signed documents as a director of Savannah Heights, one of Savannah Cement’s parent companies, without proper authorization. The DPP has since directed that both Ndeta and Hill Jr. face eight charges, including forgery, conspiracy to defraud, and obtaining credit through false pretences.
The DPP’s office is also seeking the extradition of Hill Jr. from the United States to Kenya to face the charges. In a letter dated November 25, Senior Prosecutor Jacinta Nyamosi asked the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to pursue further forensic investigations into the case and ensure Hill Jr. is brought to justice.
“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. to Kenya to face the said charges,” the letter stated.
Adding;
“A further Mutual Legal Assistance request may be made for assistance in further investigations including to obtain Charles Hill Jr’s specimen signatures, handwritings for purposes of further forensic investigations, and the recording of notarized statements touching on the subject matter.”
Top opposition leaders like Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugine Wamalwa and Munias East MP Peter Salasya have since visited Muthaiga Police Station, demanding the immediate release of the Savannah Clinker boss.
“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 on Thursday evening.
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… pic.twitter.com/L6nP4yTQK9
— Kalonzo Musyoka (@skmusyoka) November 28, 2024
