Controversial televangelist and founder of Ekeza Sacco David Kariuki Ngare, commonly known as Gakuyo, has been detained by police at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Wednesday as he attempted to leave the country.
Although the motive behind his arrest remains undisclosed, Ngare was subsequently transported to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Mazingira Building for interrogation and preparation for prosecution.
According to DCI officials familiar with the investigation, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has granted consent to charge Ngare, primarily for fraud, among other offenses. The investigation stems from 12 cases related to transactions between Ngare and residents of Kiambu.
Ngare is slated to appear in court on Thursday to answer the charges. The possibility of additional charges looms as more files return with consent for prosecution, as stated by an officer familiar with the matter.
In response, Ngare has attributed his predicament to undisclosed political adversaries seeking revenge. In a video statement, he expressed his surprise at being intercepted by detectives at the airport, leading to his detention.
Ngare has been under police scrutiny for allegedly misappropriating over Sh1 billion from Ekeza Sacco members, although he has purportedly reached an agreement to reimburse the funds to claimants. Police confirm that investigations into this matter are ongoing.
