Gangsters, Golf and Greenbacks - BBC Africa Eye documentary

An African construction giant mired in debt and on the verge of collapsing hires in two highly-paid British bosses to try and bring it back from the brink. Eighteen months later the business is bust, hundreds of African jobs have been lost and the UK directors fled fearing for their safety. Now a cache of leaked company computer files obtained by Africa Eye raises serious questions about how the British bosses ran the firm.
This is the story of how a company which boasted it was Building a Better Africa ended up demolishing the dreams and dignity of ordinary Africans against a backdrop of seemingly highly questionable business practice. Both bosses deny all allegations.
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Website: www.bbc.com/africa
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[@Tear_12]

One lesson from this documentary. Never love a company to the point of crying tears. Companies never love back.

[@billkattkatt1693]

Zakarie Abdulkadir - Neither do states or governments...

[@godfreyodhiambo126]

Wisdom

[@Tear_12]

@@billkattkatt1693 yeah

[@Tear_12]

@@godfreyodhiambo126 yeah

[@naugladur8534]

Yes, you’re just a number

[@Jojohumf]

Africa is poor because of greed, exploitation and weak governments. The African courts should request their extradition to Africa and make them pay the price.

[@Moor_Fish]

The UK and US will never allow that. They'll colonize Africa again before they'll allow extradition

[@Jojohumf]

daBIGJuiCE619 I know that’s what I mean by weak governments, they should put pressure for those criminals to face justice

[@afro-centric2653]

@@Jojohumf Criminals in power. In short a Mafia State.

[@AlphaMaverick1111]

It's not just that, you have a businessman-political nexus, such as the Guptas in South Africa, they were closely tied to the government. Then theres things like setting up businesses in tax havens like Mauritius and using it as a base. This deprives African countries of tax revenue.

[@samlsd9711]

Exactly!

[@sassysid100]

The reporter is the full package, intelligent, beautiful and hardworking. Africans must start doing for themselves. The African governments should start investing in its people, its the only way

[@zachmaselle6635]

Unfortunately such a talent can not find a position and the freedom to do such a wonderful job locally!

[@johnohando2390]

Anne Soy yuko juu,so beautiful

[@therealgodessisis5004]

While you were grinning, dancing and singing. They were busy robbing you.

[@afro-centric2653]

Just look at their body language when the natives were singing "Happy Birthday"

[@samlsd9711]

I'm so pissed off I can't even breath!

[@kman8446]

Africans are gullible they still don’t get it 😂

[@therealgodessisis5004]

@@fh7277 and what are you known for apart from bestiality and thuggery

[@kman8446]

@@therealgodessisis5004he is right you can’t fault him we r to 🤷‍♂️ to blame

[@876Abb]

*Africa should stop* voting for those *old politicians* who are almost in their Menopause time and start voting in the younger educated men and women who

[@sindisomoyo6026]

It's not even about voting the results are rigged even before the elections😐

[@RrRr2410]

Don’t believe that Africa is rich the media always show the poor side of Africa they never show you their castle or Mansions

[@truthfulrating5802]

I don't know why we keep voting in the same old man that are in politics even here in America President Obama I don't think he wanted to cuz he did it like just recently endorse Joe Biden he didn't want to but he did I don't want Joe Biden he still has old slave master ways and I just don't feel comfortable with this old fart being up in office as our president I don't. and I see Africa just won't let go of these damn Chiefs who are quite frankly just dumb. And it did getting American money that ain't worth nothing either you may as well burn it up and use it for fire to cook you some steaks because American money ain't worth much either cuz we don't print our own money

[@quizmaster888]

@@RrRr2410 The media show the west the poor aspects to protect the interests of their elites who fleece Africa of her possessions.

[@aaronoluoch4510]

@@truthfulrating5802 these men literally stage coups to get into office. They rig themselves in.

[@garissacommunityjournalist2765]

The Indian Community was highly involved too

[@mitchm7563]

niliona muindi ata nikaelewa tu

[@AlphaMaverick1111]

Guptas in South Africa, Anil Agarwal in Zambia...and the list goes on. It's not ordinary Indians, in many cases it is the so-called "elite business-people", who use bribery and fraud along with basing their operations in places like Mauritius to avoid taxes too. - That said, there are those with distant Indian ancestry who are citizens of African nations who DO have an Africa first mindset, Dewji in Tanzania is one such example.

[@lenniefei6710]

Indians have been the greatest conduits in siphoning money and treasure from Africa during and after colonial times to this very day....So hurtful and shameful!!!

[@chukesobialo5706]

Oh well done Africans have noticed Indian's too.m

[@Afrocanuk]

@@lenniefei6710 Indians look down on Blacks. I've experienced it first hand: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIDTe6Wpj7qNnJY

[@bakhitasunday5529]

Africa is free food for many countries so called the developed ones. So sad

[@afro-centric2653]

Your leaders provide the right environment for this criminality. Look in the mirror.

[@LoyaltyIsEvrthng]

@@afro-centric2653 right ...

[@bakhitasunday5529]

What I meant is not that I agree that Africa is free food for many developed countries. But I commented that way based on the reality see in ground. Our corrupt leaders have almost sold out Africa, take for example most countries in Africa have debt with China, and sometimes as form of aids, which always not for free, because in exchange of that is exploitation of the African resources which most of world depends on in term of production. And our own leaders who are corrupt have given them that chance.

[@briodiz4772]

@@bakhitasunday5529 it's not about the leaders, they are elected by ordinary people, Africans have become comfortable as bottom feeders, simple

[@aaronoluoch4510]

@@bakhitasunday5529 yes, the cost of those Chinese projects are usually inflated with the difference ending up in leaders pockets. 2020 is a year of those inner reflection for all African citizens. It is no longer easy for governments to hide bad governance. Haven't heard the Kenyan parliamentarians comment on Spencon.

[@haiybo]

The Kenyan English accent is like The soft patter of rain. Beautiful. Also agree with the other comments

[@charlesjohnson7634]

WHAT ????🤔

[@ThePrincipality-dy1iq]

Tom, apart from the fact that she says "faarm" instead of "firm" and "haard" instead of "heard" among others.

[@_Justin_Case]

Nothing hits a man's confidence like not being able to provide for your family. As a man, you feel worthless. You feel like you're a burden to a family you're supposing to be taking care of.

[@_Justin_Case]

@Patrick Kazan Not everyone starts a family without having a stable job. We have people who won't be able to provide for their families after this corona pandemic. Who otherwise would have been able to keep their jobs had it not happened. Stop thinking like a Westerner that in Africa we all have families before having jobs.

[@topnineshow]

@Patrick Kazan don't be a dick. Dude had a job and could comfortably take care of his family, but the company flopped. Shit happens. I hope you never find yourself in the same situation.

[@playgirl7305]

@Patrick Kazan just because your dad is still feeding you and your sisters... wait until you finish school and become a man.

[@grahamt5924]

@Patrick Kazan you still here. Having fun?

[@grahamt5924]

@Patrick Kazan looks like you are.

[@charlottebertin5619]

It sounds like they decided that the company wasn't worth saving and chose to get as much money as possible out of it before the end.

[@funDAYsmiling]

Great work BBC Africa! The fact that there even IS A BBC “Africa,” proves we live in a much better time than how things were not many years ago.

[@beeojeiks6516]

love these documentaries. I just wish there are follow-ups or updates to see who got prosecuted.

[@theravens_keeper9146]

LP love

[@safuu202]

This is a tell tale story of what we get for trusting mzungus with our last dollas. Chai!!!! 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@betterfuture7529]

Suraj Meetei so they say

[@briodiz4772]

@King Stan how do you know he is indian

[@deega1234]

One day, my Africa will be great. One day.

[@matthiask2087]

when??

[@fireflieskingdom8941]

desertrose416 people have been saying that with Zimbabwe for the past 20 years....

[@rash4403]

desertrose416 when? After a million years?

[@icarus387]

It will be great when there is a collective change in mindset of becoming self-sufficient and I hope to assist this change

[@landz2228]

@@afro-centric2653 and their flaunt their ill gotten wealth in public and nothing happens.

[@Nelson_Mandela_]

When the guy in the beginning said 'my life is done, I'm finished' it really hit home

[@samuelsibanda9589]

I felt that 💔😥

[@mohamedkahin129]

@@samuelsibanda9589 It was honestly a heart breaking to someone talk like that.

[@Mlachake]

I love and cherish these documentaries, but I wish there was a follow up as to what happened to these offenders that think they can abuse Africa and Africans with impunity.

[@kristineodongo9357]

The white saviour complex needs to stop my people,we are great we need to start loving us,ourselves and stop mental slavery

[@wendyferguson4829]

The black run governments are massively worst, they openly steal from black people for themselves so stop blaming the whites!!!!

[@kristineodongo9357]

@@realtawandrew yes I read that too,it's very sad that our leaders cannot stand firm and say no,they are sellouts

[@kristineodongo9357]

You tube don't want the truth,just removed my reply🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂it does hurt🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂

[@kristineodongo9357]

@@realtawandrew thank you very much,you said it better,we need to do it by ourselves,before colonialism we were by ourselves and existing,after that we became beggars and depend on other people,that is why we can't move forward,I was not blaming anybody for our misery.thsnk you again

[@cgreen777]

I don't understand why afrikans keep falling for the same old tricks. And will do the same thing tomorrow.

[@christabelairo9046]

I kept on watching this documentary and i wonder why the board members were not questioned at any point, because they were approving everything.

[@NK-so8ep]

because as a society we are programmed or else believe foreigners can't be corrupt or steal

[@zat0076]

We have smart people on d continent ..the problem is that we are too tribalistic and greedy in our approach to developing the continent

[@nyakwarObat]

And the sad thing is some of the brothers/sisters making so much noise concerning this will do the same thing tomorrow if they happen to be in the same boss position

[@mohamedkahin129]

@@nyakwarObat Thats true..

[@halfnelson6115]

Tribalism is not just in Africa, it's a global problem.

[@jeanvaljean6433]

@@halfnelson6115 Absolutely not.

[@humanseeksjustice8830]

When you hear someone offer a "private equity" or "hedge fund" deal, run for your life. They're psychos and will exploit you and your nation, family.

[@arireactsssz5662]

Africa has sooo much to offer 😭😭😭, they need to do something

[@ngobolamuyembe8029]

The golf worker is an angel indeed. Still smiling after all that those two financial crooks did to him.

[@alexomar9628]

I love to see black people investigate Africa and Africans

[@bikebasket9594]

Well that's right. They won't look into African's because it doesn't connect to their main idea that Africans are victims of white greed.

[@Tunawesmake]

@@bikebasket9594 do you know where Anne Soi comes from? Try to look at her previous colleagues and the investigative journalism they do. Nearly zero whites. Don't stereotype without facts. This is BBC and it touched Britons. Try African channels and see who they investigate...

[@bikebasket9594]

@@Tunawesmake It seems naïve to me. It's an incurably corrupt continent. In 500 years they'll still be blaming whites for all their problems. Not one dollar of western tax payer money should be sent there.

[@annitab7062]

@@bikebasket9594 the report details the incompetence and stupidity of two white British men who squandered the funds to the detriment of the company they were hired to save but yet your racism and superiority complex still allows you to think that somehow it is the corruption of Africans that is the issue here. Western countries have limited natural resources and their economies are built from the exploitation of African, Caribbean and Asian countries through slavery, indentured servitude, colonialism and neocolonialism. Take your racism and focus on the absolute incompetence of western leaders in dealing with the current coronavirus outbreak. Leaders so corrupt they couldn't put money to fund the NHS before but now expect the underfunded NHS to save thousands of British lives. Leaders so corrupt they refused to close borders to China then Italy and France simply because of fear it would affect their business interests. Leaders so stupid, they didn't even have a PPE production industry within their own countries and have to rely on China to provide them with essential equipment. Western countries unlike African ones have no excuse whatsoever for this kind of incompetence, they are already rich, powerful and respected. So redirect your concerns elsewhere.

[@bikebasket9594]

@@aaronoluoch4510 Well, you've got new masters now who are arguably even less concerned with values and principles so good luck. Hate white people until you're last breath. The torch has been passed.

[@ahmeddahiye8033]

Thank you Anne Soi and the BBC Africa Eye team for the good job. Surely our country has a long way to go.

[@TheTororist]

Why have I never heard of this so called construction giant?

[@jeffrey1261]

There are so many similar construction Giants in Kenya that we know very little about. Sadly at this time, I'd say 50% are heading the spencon path

[@nagendersinghbisht504]

God bless africa

[@kman8446]

He already gave up and left 🏃‍♂️

[@m0j0w0rking]

Excellent reporting. One question who were the Board of Directors and how much were they paid?

[@blashininyourface]

Those selfish men, I wish they will end up in a shallow grave with lot of regrets...oh, well, they won't cause they can't even have EMPATHY for others.

[@BiZZiLL1]

As a regular listener of BBC radio... I have come to enjoy Anne Soy's work. After watching this(albeit a little late} I will say this... she is the real deal. Keep up the good work Anne.

[@eng.amoskeige3475]

This is an eye opener for Africans. I found myself in such situation in year 2015/2016.Joined a British owned company with a well paying job as a technical manager but little did i knew that i was meant to push/commission the pending projects as he would turn around the company and escape to Britain.

[@bjoardar]

That's so sad to hear. Horrible people who steal a company's assets and run away.

[@olooabraham7965]

Great piece of Journalism... For Andrew and Steve, the world is a circle.

[@kazungukakiyo8560]

Brothers and sisters only Diaspora will make Kenya and Africa with Africans great.

[@davidfrederick4530]

Underrated comment✊🏾✊🏾

[@Tunawesmake]

Yeah right! Because you in diaspora are doing what that Kenyans in Kenya aren't doing? It not an "only" thing. It is a together thing... Tutawaachia hii nchi mkuje kutoka diaspora muitoe kwa mavumbi... There's no more important Kenyan than another...

[@kazungukakiyo8560]

Wasike ::my friend you seem to be a government official;coz they do benefit from corruption.

[@omondioumasr1226]

You work. Payment is delayed for 15 years. When you are about to be paid, a $80000 bribe is demanded. That's the story of doing business in Kenya.

[@eno-dieumercassociates2933]

it is an African thing. The Kenyan government is highly complicit in the entire affair. How do you owe a company for FIFTEEN YEARS? How then does the company stay afloat without resort to banks and their crippling interest rates?

[@afro-centric2653]

Yeah, Pending bills...

[@chriswamahiu8751]

@@eno-dieumercassociates2933 LPOs are offered though, so you can still operate.

[@kelvinmakomichi5095]

i am proud of this African well put documentary

[@mikemagero]

"Mike's" are great, straight guys. Thumbs up.

[@bellaolum9768]

Really sad, my friend worked here she lost her job!

[@vernalwalters]

You mean to tell me that these men never stood trial

[@vernalwalters]

@Charles Karumba WOW that is sad

[@famousdominion444]

May God help Africans

[@DarlingWheresthecoffee]

Africans need to help themselves. The belief in a white god is the reason for poverty in Africa. Mental slavery needs to stop

[@anthonymaina2215]

This is exactly what Dr. Ndii has said before. The former colonial powers are now ripping off Africa in the name of infrastructure development and through finance...

[@kevohwapipelinetransami4351]

Watching from Kenya Nairobi massive 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪😎😎😎

[@AfricaEyeDocumentaries]

For real this is African eye have been following BBC African eye since they started from alshaba

[@thamizama5904]

Africa is the victim of its own 'foreign saviour complex' we don't believe in our own people. We send our people all over the world to learn all kinds of technologies and modern business practices and yet at the end of the day we give foreigners all the contracts. Same thing here in South Africa!

[@Tunawesmake]

Then we believe... If we localise, we'll not perform. I wonder for instance about agriculture. And you wonder how larger populations like Nigeria, Ethiopia (never colonised) etc with poorer climates and souls, Egypt etc are managing to feed their people... Good management knows no race, neither does poor management. So people should view all factors when looking at failures like Zimbabwe. It isn't a race thing. It is a good or bad management issue. We need to believe in ourselves more... Foreign investers and settlers aren't here for charity. They sell, we buy. If they are doing us a favour, who's begging them to go on?

[@jabungu2chris]

This Spencon, how did you blankly get to agreement with narrow background check on the two guys?

[@charitywairimungugi-latz1315]

"Restructuring African business ",like we don't have brains.That was mistake no 1.

[@laureanntaate7095]

Karma has her way. A thief's days are always numbered.

[@samlsd9711]

What fucking karma are you talking about 30,000 fucking thousand dollars. they paid themselves a month, while starving the families.

[@briodiz4772]

@@samlsd9711 Africans believe a white man called jesus will fall fro. The sky to save them. You can't reason with this fanatical Christians or Muslims, they're afraid to face the truth that no one will rescue them.

[@integerconsulting9344]

Karma was chased away from Kenya. When she visits, she numbers the thieves days and adds them more time.

[@dannperry1]

@@samlsd9711 you idiot.

[@donelion6459]

These guys were literally chucking money into their accounts 😲 , what sort of controls were there ?

[@abidinaabba9619]

Good journalism

[@rateebsebbi2424]

Great Investigative Journalism - it’s so sad how the needy are exploited by these so called experts

[@jeffrey1261]

The writing was always on the wall. For over 2 years the employees had a gut feeling that all was not well, but still rode the wave, in hope. The writing is always on the wall. When you get that gut feeling? Make adjustment.

[@herexcelencyebba6123]

Africa is a place to be ....

[@MrKibbza]

Africa arise, let's look inside, we are smart, we are beautiful, we are able, stop the self-hate and let's lift up this beautiful continent.

[@mo-om]

Many Private Equity firms have a history of investing in struggling businesses (or even businesses in good shape that just need some extra funds), stripping them off all their valuable assets, siphoning off profits, laying off staff and finally selling them off when they are about to collapse. The worst part is that the money they invest is usually borrowed and the receiving company's asset are used as collateral. The borrowed money is paid off using revenue from the company receiving the funds and in case of a default, the company's assets are sold off. These Private Equity firms have almost no downside and will almost always come out ahead at the expense of the companies they invest in and their employees.

[@jamesnjenga813]

What were they hired to do that an African couldn't

[@bjoardar]

Rob, apparently.

[@alphaemjallo9474]

WAKE UP, UNITE AND BUILD OUR OWN AFRICA WE ARE OUR OWN SOLUTION ♥️✊🏾

[@AmorosoGombe]

Spencon was an ironically appropriate name. Terrible state of affairs.

[@financeminister1084]

31:10 after paying a bribe to get the certification: "God is so good" lol

[@raphaelotieno888]

☹☹ mockery of God, the lawyer, will pay back big time.

[@jamhurikongo2758]

And this is only one company, how many more are in the verge of a similar situation as this plays on. I wont be surprised if the percentage was way above half!!!

[@bonylstyles5907]

I like that UK law.... I hope it will take it course on the two

[@norye4300]

They should leave Africa alone!!!!

[@susannamuga3863]

We are told that we should learn to forgive but some people make it so hard...

[@garypearson8556]

I would Love to invest in That construction company

[@garissacommunityjournalist2765]

Brits investigating Brits. Irony!

[@bjoardar]

Wouldn't you say it's a good thing their crimes where investigated, rather then letting them get away with it? How is that irony?

[@leonardkisia1929]

Next time i hear people blaming Chinese, send them this link

[@westmax8491]

Look at china with evictions of Africans even after Africans paying rent. China as country wants to take over the continent.

[@stephenkariuki6228]

..why does Africans always think imported is the best quality ...so many Kenyans are better qualified for the job .. this is heartbreaking...

[@kennykennedy7866]

just a drop in the ocean of the looting weve embraced here in kenya

[@oraromaochi5584]

Kennedy Muthami and just a few of the millions who are perrenially fucked!

[@bbnCRLB]

We have big construction giants in Nigeria and I'm sure other African countries. You guys went all the way to UK to hire people to revive your company.

[@millicentlopez3592]

A KENYAN construction company working also in Uganda, Zambia and Tanzania

[@ambengwa5723]

Can you please do a report about the Kissinger report

[@janetstuart3271]

I checked out these guys and the older of the two, is the head of the water company in London and the other one is also living large.

[@sammymanu7584]

Africans should do business with a credible business partner. When they come to open construction giant the government should check their background and their partners have to verified for credibility. I feel sad about the workers loss due to corruption and exploitation. Thank you BBC News Africa!!

[@bettychebitok4593]

it was easy to do that in a corrupt nation like Kenya, sad

[@glennhertel1165]

Is this why sine dude ( I think it was A Black on Blue cop ) Drove by me like that yesterday?

[@wambuamutua173]

How did this case end up?

[@allfiance101]

oh Africa, when

[@teddymugambi]

Systemic entrenchment of impunity in every facet of our administrative structure as a country. It all stems out from a flawed electoral system and an ignorant populace. Very frustrating.

[@afro-centric2653]

You said it perfectly. Ignorant populace @Teddy Mugambi. Stupidity is exploited. Very unfortunate.

[@njerilenintravelvlogs9377]

😂 Am watching this on ktn news now

[@deirahlaney9609]

What had you learnt from the practical time of work you you had, as you deal with those thugs, Continue with the work

[@njorogejosphat]

Darn!! Gangster stuff.

[@quizmaster888]

Guys let's all watch out for Britain's reaction to this.

[@shayonapatel1408]

ECP doesn’t look like it cared!

[@shepherdkalinchenga9005]

Its called a cash sweep. Investors do it all the time and its very unethical.

[@josephinenm7932]

Wow!

[@lizkimani9576]

You see a bunch of wazungu's and Indians coming towards you...you had better run for your life...

[@grahamt5924]

The Indian father was the founder of this company. You dont need to be racist.

[@kolonelz564]

Why not stand firmly like a man and reject any of them?!?! #Smh

[@atthesunyousee]

It had to be kenya, someday something will have to give.

[@nessy1245]

Sometimes we see the red flags but still choose to stay.. an accountant, finance manager somewhere must have known things are bad waay early

[@kikosimusicgroup9571]

Damn man, i felt bro from Ukunda.

[@nelsonameyo1269]

This is classic corporate raider strategy in a corrupt country like Kenya. These wazungus had to liquidate the business and they succeeded. I remember Spencon from my childhood days. It was great. But I'm not sure it would survive our hack-job business laws. Economic trends dictate that weak businesses have to give in to stronger (or more badass [Sanghani]) business models eventually. I sympathize with former Spencon employees but this has always been the game. KPTC, coffe industry, sisal, Telkom, now maize and Ruto. Should I go further?

[@ChaddJulianxPhillips]

Up you mighty nation you can accomplish what you will.

[@kitsonfoo321]

Do they get arrest? Any update?

[@octaviolove]

Greed and Corruption, those are the words that describes business and politics in Africa unfortunatelly! Haswell and Ross desrves to be in jail

[@hibiscusrose6074]

What I wantvto know is have they been arressted?

[@rodrickmadangu6122]

Love your job but never love the company

[@oluochanyango7920]

The dud of a CEO walked away with 38 mil in ksh. Dude... Without the commissions or the embezzled money, just salary

[@anthonylew183]

They've been doing it from the start, & people still haven't learn their lesson yet.

[@marieicequeen]

Question?? Why when they have abondon these properties, instead of destroying or letting it decay. The powers that be didn't do something constructive with the abondon assets??

[@mugunadennis6538]

African firms should be wary about the private equity firms putting their investments. They should be careful about the intentions of the board members brought forward to oversee the investments. Thank God most of our banks and Telco like Safaricom has a Kenyan C.E.O

[@bakarykandeh8312]

The Kenya government should take back of the land and company without compensation the way they treated its citizens

[@eliyamb6665]

No danger

[@eleanorayebare1406]

I want to be angry at the "investors" but I can't. Fellow country men have made us shade more tears. It is the selfish nature of man. This can be done by any race.

[@tushyranx5860]

For sure what goes around comes back around and those things will come back to hount them in future

[@kman8446]

Complete Bullshit am sure they are now living in a nice comfortable house while laughing at these fools.