Kenyans Allegedly Scammed by Bishop David Gakuyo's Companies Asked to Record Statements
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has invited Kenyans who were allegedly defrauded by schemes linked to televangelist David Kariuki Ngare, alias Gakuyo to record statements.
In a statement on Wednesday, the DCI has summoned members of the public from Nairobi and Kiambu counties who are victims of the alleged fraud.
The DCI says it has received numerous fraud complaints on three companies related to the controversial preacher.
The three firms include Gakuyo Real Estate, Ekeza Sacco Limited and Gakuyo Investment Club.
The DCI has asked victims from the two counties to report to the DCI headquarters on Kiambu Road on Monday, March 19th at 9 am.
“Carry with you bank statement showing withdrawal/deposits, agreement, deposit slips. Receipts and any other document relevant to the dealing,” read a statement signed by Head of Serious Crimes Unit Joseph Kariuki.
“A day will be set for members who are from other counties and it will be communicated in due course.”
Bishop Gakuyo, who is the founder and chairman of Ekeza Sacco, is accused of illegally withdrawing Sh1.5 billion members' saving and putting the funds to his personal account.
Last week, Gakuyo surrendered to the DCI headquarters alongside six other Ekeza Sacco officials. The seven were questioned for close to an hour over the scandal before leaving.
The funds that were apparently transferred to his personal account belong to over 50,000 members of Ekeza Sacco.
Last year, the Commissioner for Cooperatives Mary Mungai revoked the Sacco’s license following complaints that Ekeza was sharing bank accounts and offices with its sister company, Gakuyo Real Estate.
The Sacco was also accused of denying members access to their savings and reneging on its promise to help them purchase homes.
Last month, Bishop Gakuyo offered to sell some of his properties including Lillies Hotel in Juja, Salama House and Swift Breeze Hardware on Garissa Road, a quarry in Murang’a County as well as 250 acres of land in Machakos and Murang'a Counties.
He said the sale would enable him to raise the money required to refund the missing Ekeza Sacco members' savings.
The sale was, however, halted by the court following an application filed by the Commissioner for Cooperatives.