BY IRENE ONYANGO.
Televangelist Bishop David Kariuki Ngari alias Gakuyo has been charged with conspiracy to defrauding investors of Sh1 billion through his Ekeza Sacco.
Gakuyo appeared before Milimani Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi and denied the charges including obtaining money from different individuals from his Sacco.
The charges stated that he conspired to steal Sh 1,052,746,094 between 2015 and 2018 at Ekeza Sacco Society Limited offices, situated at Yala Towers in Nairobi. The charge sheet stated that he committed the offence jointly with others not before court.
The prosecution told the court that with intent to defraud, he obtained money from several persons by pretending that he would grant them loan that was thrice the amount invested in the Sacco.
It is alleged that he obtained Sh2.8 million from Robert Njoroge Kaemba between 28th September 2018 at Gakuyo Real Estate Offices Limuru branch within Kiambu County.
He is also charged with several counts of obtaining monies ranging between Sh500,000 and Sh2.5 Million, by promising the individuals employed at his Sacco either a parcel of land or loaning them huge amounts among other investments.
Gakuyo was arrested on 21st February at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport while on his way to Zambia.
He was ordered to deposit a bond of Sh 20 million or an alternative cashbail of Sh 10Million to be released.
The televangelist also ordered to deposit his passport in court and to get two contact persons, one of whom should be from a government entity.
The matter will be mentioned on March 7
