Controversial preacher “Dr” David Kariuki Ngare behind the sH 2.5 billion Gakuyo Real Estate and Ekeza Sacco scam

Flamboyant pastor “Dr” David Kariuki Ngare, popularly known as Gakuyo has been unmasked as the face behind the troubled Gakuyo Real Estate and Ekeza Sacco which has left members Sh 2.5 Billion poorer.

His businesses were subject of a statement by Industry, Trade and Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya in which he is facing allegations of mismanaging Sh2.5 billion members’ savings at Ekeza Sacco and swindling clients through fake property investments using his real estate company.

While others are counting their losses in billions, the bishop who oversees Calvary Chosen Centre Church in Thika is counting his blessings one by one.

Well-placed sources allege that he has since joined the coveted club of billionaires with most of his wealth in assets spread across the country.

Among his possessions is a multi-million-shillings home in the high-end Nyari Estate near the United Nations offices in Gigiri reportedly acquired early last year.

He also boasts of a fleet of high-end cars, among them Range Rovers.

File image of Ferdinand Waititu (left) with United for Kiambu members John Mugwe James Nyoro Waititu's running mate Rev David Ngari Gakuyo and Acquiline Njoki Pulse Live Kenya

Political career

Land broker, evangelist and politicians are all titles that perfectly fit the father of three.

Gakuyo burst into the scene in 2016 after he entered the Kiambu county gubernatorial race seeking to oust William Kabogo.

The ‘man of God’ embarked on a publicity mission, splashing millions in airtime on local TV and radio stations to broadcast his sermons and his businesses.

He also embarked on a mission to expand his earthly empire, with his SACCO opening branches Wangige and Kikuyu in an event that doubled as political campaigns graced by Gakuyo, Waititu and running mate James Nyoro among other politicians under the “United for Kiambu” banner.

The publicity blitz paid off with over 50000 people joining his SACCO and investing in his Real estate company, hoping to secure a homes and plots of land.

However, this was not to be as they learnt albeit late as the bishop and his senior managers engaged them in a cat-and-mouse game, spinning one narrative after another.

Through the two companies, Gakuyo mobilized savings from members, promising them 2 bedroomed houses in Joska at a cost of Sh3.5 million after registering with just Sh20,000.

File image of David Kariuki Ngare and other members of the Covenant Clergy Alliance addressing the press Pulse Live Kenya

Man of controversies

Gakuyo who ventured in politics in 2017, keen on ousting Kiambu Governor William Kabogo before throwing his weight behind Waititu is not new to controversy.

His entry into politics saw allegations emerge that he had forged his academic credentials to questions on his businesses.

Reports indicate that he had applied to study "county governance" at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology's (JKUAT) Westlands campus in 2016 but was kicked out four months later when questions were raised about his admission.

His credentials reveal that the 50 year old bishop sat his primary school examinations at Munyu Primary School in 1983 and got his primary school leaving certificate 21 years later.