When a director of Watamu Tours Limited Mr. Harrison Chege Kariuki heard that Kings Outreach Church ( which is linked to controversial Prophet David Owuor) was hunting for a parcel of land to build either a hotel or high-end apartments, he hatched a plan.
Mr Kariuki sought out the management of the church to help them in their plans, according to reports. He asked for a downpayment of Ksh20 million for a piece of land he was selling at Ksh155 million in 2017.
In the case that is underway at the Kiambu Law Courts before Chief Magistrate Patriciah Gichohi, the Ksh20 million was wired to Watamu Tours and Travel Limited where Mr Kariuki is a director and majority shareholder.
A sale agreement for land LR No. 7785/205, was entered into between the church and Mr Kariuki's firm and signed by church trustees Archbishop Paul Onjoro and Bishop Joseph Masinde.
The Transaction took place at Barclays Bank (now Absa Bank) Queensway Branch.
"The matter was reported at Gigiri Police Station by the complainant on 21st January through Archbishop Prof Paul Onjoro that on April 6th 2017, the church entered into a land sale agreement with the respondent for the purchase of land known as RUNDA 7785/205 measuring 0.6269 hectares situated on Ruaka Road in Runda. The complainant transferred Ksh20 million through RTGS to account number 0942970792 held at Barclays Bank Queensway Branch in the name of Watamu Tours and Travel", lead investigator sergeant Samson Owaga told the court.
Mr Owaga added, "The fraud case directly involves Mr Kariuki because the Ksh20 million was directly wired to his company's account".
Watamu Tours and Travel was registered in 2000 and Mr Kariuki is listed as a majority shareholder with a 90 per cent stake; a Ms Margaret Ngonyo Chege holds a 10 per cent shareholding.
The twist in the case is that the defence argued against holding Mr Kariuki pending completion of investigations, revealing that the piece of land has already been sold to prominent Kiambu Family.
Mr Kariuki was released on Ksh400,000 cash bail
The case is set to continue.