Televangelist and Ekeza Sacco founder, Bishop David Kariuki Ngare, has claimed that detectives are arbitrarily detaining him at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Kariuki popularly knowns as Gakuyo, on Wednesday, further alleged that the detectives pounced on him as he was preparing to leave the country to an unknown destination.
The controversial preacher, in a self-recorded video shared online, claimed that he was unaware of the reason for his arrest.
He further accused the police of a witchhunt, adding that he was afraid of his rights being violated. However, he looked forward to being arraigned and charges being preferred against him.
"They say I cannot leave the country. I’m at JKIA. I just think there is some revenge somewhere. I’m happy I might get an opportunity to see the judge and be told what case I have. Right now I’m at the DCI airport,” Gakuyo claimed in the short video.
Additionally, Gakuyo hinted that his arrest was political but did not disclose more details on the allegations.
The televangelist was earlier accused of allegedly misusing funds deposited by members of the Sacco. The funds amounting to billions were set to buy property for the members.
Reportedly, the bishop transferred the funds from Sacco's account to his account forcing the members to conduct protests demanding refunds.
In 2019, the members camped outside DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road demanding action be taken against the bishop.
Gakuyo, in response, hinted at selling his property including hotels and parcels of land to reimburse the aggrieved members,
In January 2020, his Sacco began paying back some of the victims with the repayment conducted in phases from those who had deposited Ksh5,000 and below.
Three years later in August 2023, the bishop revealed that members who were yet to receive their funds would be compensated with land. He further disclosed that the Sacco had by then paid back Ksh800 million in cash and assets.
"We haven’t been generating any revenue in our firms, Ekeza and Gakuyo Real Estate, and that’s why most members were repaid with land and other assets like vehicles," he stated in an interview.
