DCI digs deeper into fraud complaints against Gakuyo companies
Controversial televangelist David Ngare Kariuki aka Gakuyo (centre) leaves the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road on March 7, 2018, amid investigations into his Ekeza Sacco.
What you need to know:
- The DCI noted that it had received "numerous" complaints concerning Gakuyo Real Estate, Ekeza Sacco Limited and Gakuyo Investment Club.
- A date will be set for residents of other counties to go to the DCI with their complaints.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has scheduled sessions with Nairobi and Kiambu residents with fraud complaints against Gakuyo Real Estate, Ekeza Sacco and Gakuyo Investment Club.
The three organisations are linked to controversial televangelist David Kariuki Ngare, popularly known as Gakuyo.
Mr Gakuyo is the overseer of Calvary Chosen Centre Church in Thika, a politician and a businessman.
'NUMEROUS' COMPLAINTS
In a statement on Wednesday, the DCI noted that it had received "numerous" complaints against these organisations.
It asked residents of the two counties to report to its headquarters along Kiambu Road at 9am on March 18 with the supporting documents they have.
"Carry with you bank statements showing withdrawal and deposit agreements, deposit slips, receipts and any other document relevant to the dealings," John Kariuki said in the statement, on behalf of DCI boss George Kinoti.
Mr Kariuki said a date will be set for residents of other counties to go to the DCI with their complaints.
ALLEGATIONS
Mr Gakuyo is accused of siphoning more than Sh1 billion belonging to 78,000 members, mostly peasants, of the troubled Ekeza Savings and Credit Cooperative Society.
He is said to have started an investors’ club at Gakuyo Real Estate, where he and his wife Hannah Wachu are co-directors, and asked Kenyans to invest their money to help the company run the business and in return reap a two per cent monthly interest.
Mr Gakuyo allegedly used the money to upgrade his lifestyle by buying prime properties for his family and boosting his struggling real estate firm.
The televangelist's assets were to be seized amid members' pleas for intervention by the government.
Ekeza Sacco was registered four years ago, but its licence was revoked in 2018. Most of its members are from Thika in Kiambu County although it has 26 branches across the country.
The DCI's economic crimes department questioned Mr Gakuyo on March 7. He went there with a team of six lawyers and did not speak to journalists.
Mr Gakuyo is fighting claims of fraud at Ekeza but is facing new fraud claims for allegedly using similar tricks to swindle people through his real estate firm.
