Ekeza Sacco Society founder David Kariuki Ngare, known as Gakuyo, surrendered to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on March 7, 2019, at 2 p.m. at Kiambu Road headquarters. This followed social media reports of police inquiries into a Sh1.5 billion financial scandal involving the sacco. Gakuyo, also serving as Bishop of Calvary Chosen Centre in Thika, arrived with six legal representatives and departed after an hour.
Gakuyo’s lawyer Danson Omari stated the DCI confirmed a single complaint from the Ministry of Trade, received just minutes before the team’s arrival. The document, yet to be reviewed by the defense, requires the Trade Cabinet Secretary to formalize the report with an OB number. Omari emphasized adherence to legal procedures, stating, "The country must operate within the rule of law. It cannot operate by character assassination."
Another lawyer, James Mamboleo, reiterated that law enforcement agencies must remain independent from external influence. Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i warned during a Kenya Police Sacco conference that the government would penalize saccos mismanaging member funds. "We are hot on the trail of Ekeza and other officials," he said, citing allegations of Gakuyo transferring Sh1.5 billion from Ekeza Sacco to Gakuyo Real Estate without member consent.
