Televangelist David Ngare Kariuki, known as Gakuyo, appeared before Kenya's Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) amid allegations of diverting over Sh1 billion from Ekeza Sacco, a cooperative with 78,000 members. The economic crimes department interrogated him on Thursday regarding claims he used funds meant for members to enhance his personal lifestyle.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i had urged police to accelerate arrests of Ekeza Sacco officials, including Gakuyo, who serves as chairman. During a Police Sacco AGM in Nairobi, Matiang’i stated, "We are hot on the trail of officials of Ekeza and the others. We will have no mercy… we have agreed with the inspector-general to go after these people and make them face the law."
Gakuyo, accompanied by six lawyers led by Dunstan Omari, spent over an hour at DCI headquarters without addressing reporters. His legal team confirmed no formal complaint had been lodged against him, though a Trade Ministry document was filed minutes before his arrival. Omari noted the ministry’s submission had not yet been reviewed by DCI.
The preacher, also under scrutiny for alleged academic fraud, recently resigned as an adviser to Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu without specifying reasons. Meanwhile, new allegations emerged that Gakuyo’s Gakuyo Real Estate firm lured investors with promises of 2% monthly returns, which he allegedly paid for only a short period before evading obligations.
