Televangelist and Ekeza Sacco founder David Ngari, known as Gakuyo, appeared before Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi on Monday to face charges of conspiracy to commit a felony and 12 counts of obtaining money through false pretense.
These charges stem from alleged actions between 2015 and 2018 in collaboration with Ekeza Sacco, where they purportedly conspired to misappropriate approximately KES 1,052,746.094 from the sacco members.
The court heard that Gakuyo and his accomplices purportedly obtained KES 553,050 from the Step by Step Welfare Association between March 14, 2016, and February 21, 2017, by falsely rclaiming that they could sell land.
Additionally, in March 2017, they allegedly defrauded Wairimu Mwangi of KES 2.5 million by falsely claiming that Gakuyo Investment Club offered businesses with a two percent interest rate. They are also accused of receiving KES 170,000 from Mwangi under false pretenses regarding the Sacco’s loan policies.
Moreover, Gakuyo and Ekeza Sacco allegedly obtained KES 1.2 million from Edward Nduati by falsely presenting investment opportunities with a two percent interest rate. They also purportedly received KES 3.7 million from various individuals across different locations by misleading them about the Sacco’s loan services.
The defendants are further accused of obtaining money from two individuals under the pretense of land sales, amounting to KES 436,875.
These fraudulent activities allegedly occurred between February 9, 2016, and September 13, 2018, at various locations, including Gakuyo Real Estate Limited Offices in Nairobi, Thika, and Limuru, as well as Ekeza Sacco offices.
While Gakuyo pleaded not guilty to all charges, the second accused, Ekeza Sacco, was absent from court proceedings. The prosecution argued that Gakuyo, as a director of Ekeza Sacco, should have responded to the charges, prompting a request for an arrest warrant from Lawyer Henry Kinyanjui.
However, Gakuyo’s defense team, led by lawyers Ndegwa and Danstan Omari, refuted this assertion, maintaining that Gakuyo was not a director of the company.
Omari, representing the sacco, stated that his client had not received summons to appear in court and requested proper notification. The defense also sought bail for Gakuyo, emphasizing his career and presumption of innocence.
In response, Kinyanjui acknowledged the court’s discretion on bail terms but urged for stringent conditions due to the public interest and ongoing investigations.
The court ultimately granted Gakuyo a bond of KES 20 million with two sureties or a cash bail alternative of KES10 million with two contact persons, one of whom must be a public officer. Additionally, Gakuyo was ordered to surrender his passport to the court and refrain from interfering with ongoing investigations.
Furthermore, the court issued a summon for Ekeza Sacco to appear for plea-taking.
The matter is scheduled for mention on March 7.
