DCI seeks to detain Bishop Gakuyo for 4 days in Ekeza Sacco probe
David Kariuki Ngari, alias Gakuyo, is being investigated over the alleged theft of more than Sh1 billion from at least 50,000 sacco members.
Detectives on Thursday sought court orders to detain fraud suspect David Kariuki Ngari alias Gakuyo for four days to conclude investigations into the alleged theft of more than Sh1 billion from sacco members.
Bishop Gakuyo, a televangelist, is associated with Ekeza Sacco Society Limited, Gakuyo Real Estate Ltd and Gakuyo Investors Club.
More To Read
Corporal Bernard Gikandi, of the Financial Investigations Unit of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DIC), sought orders to hold the suspect at the Muthaiga Police Station in Nairobi, via an application through the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
Gikandi told Senior Resident Magistrate Geoffrey Onsaringo that he was investigating a case of conspiracy to commit a felony, obtaining money by false pretences, stealing and money laundering.
The detective claimed Gakuo and his companies defrauded more than 50,000 people spread across the country, prompting the launch of an investigation in March 2019.
“Investigations are at an advanced stage and the respondent is likely to be charged with several cases,” he said. “There has been a public outcry from the victims and other affected persons ... in light of the closure of the offices belonging to the respondent and the said companies.”
Gikandi further said Gakuyo was aware of the ongoing investigations and his pending arraignment and was thus a flight risk. He also noted that the suspect was arrested at the immigration desk at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on Wednesday while attempting to fly to Zambia. He submitted a boarding pass to prove this.
The suspect opposed the application through his 10 lawyers, led by Ndegwa Njiru and Dunstan Omari, who noted that their client had been available to investigators since the probe started.
Shadrack Wambui, another one of Gakuyo's lawyers, said Gikandi mischievously failed to disclose to the court that he had a return ticket for March 1, 2024.
The court will rule on Friday on the application to detain Gakuyo for four days.
Top Stories Today
- 2024 records highest cases of extrajudicial killings in last six years - report
- US offers Sh1.29bn bounty for terror suspect linked to Manda Bay attack
- Half of Kenyans unsure about credibility of 2027 polls - TIFA
- Kenyans back Amadi for IEBC Chair but lack faith selection panel - poll
- Delays in job placements abroad due to logistics, not fraud - CS Mutua
- Vatican conclave to pick new pope, world awaits white smoke
- Three charged with murder of 17-year-old Gaala Adan in Wajir
- Revealed: Insider deals and offshore links driving up Kenya’s energy costs
- Two Belgians jailed for smuggling over 5,000 live queen ants
- Earth tremor reported in Nairobi and surrounding areas
- Nairobi records highest number of crimes as cases drop nationally- KNBS
- Nairobi leads in teen pregnancies as cases drop nationally to 241,228 in 2024
- Court stops KEBS tender over alleged bias against local contractors
- Appeal court upholds acquittal of ex-PS Mangiti, 22 others in Sh47 million NYS scandal case
- NOC-K delays elections after Basketball chair Paul Otula's death
- 32 firms blacklisted in crackdown on rogue overseas job agencies
- Funding gap leaves over 300,000 students without HELB loans
- Sudan declares UAE 'aggressor state' as it cuts ties
- Two guns recovered in Kayole raid as detectives close in on MP Were’s killers
- IEBC receives Sh5.7 billion budget boost to prepare for 2027 elections
