Bishop denies conning Kenyans through Sacco as more victims cry out

Anthony Muchiri a victim of Gakuyo Real Estate Ltd scam in Karatina Town, Nyeri on April 4,2017,displays an official receipt No 15992 of Sh75,000. Muchiri paid the money on March 28,2017,being a payment of a quarter piece of land situated at Gachuriri in Embu County. [Photo:Kibarta Kihu/Standard]

A Thika-based bishop has denied using his real estate company and a Savings and Credit Co-operative Organisation (Sacco) to swindle people.

David Ngari of Calvary Chosen Centre said his political detractors were targeting Gakuyo Real Estate Company and Ekeza Sacco, which he owns, to destroy his business and church.

Bishop Ngari, popularly known as Gakuyo, said he was being demonised for expressing interest in the Kiambu governor's seat.

He has since shelved his ambitions to support Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu's bid to unseat Governor William Kabogo.

"There are people who are working tirelessly to paint me as a criminal in order to bring my church and businesses down," said Ngari.

"I am a man of God who fears and follows His teachings. I have not stolen anything. My hands are clean. I'm the manager of Gakuyo Real Estate and Ekeza Sacco and the rumours going round are nothing but a plot to finish me," said Ngari.

Hard-earned cash

His statement came just a day after KTN News and The Standard newspaper ran stories about how many people have lost their hard-earned cash to the two business entities.

On Wednesday, 29-year-old Anthony Maina, a Nyeri-based economist, claimed he had lost Sh65,000 to Ngari's company.

"I come from a part of Murang'a County where land is scarce. That is why I found it interesting to own a 50x100 plot in Embu for that amount," said Mr Maina.

In April 2014, after registering as a member of the Sacco, Maina said he deposited Sh45,000 and cleared the balance the following year.

However, he never got to see the land he thought he was buying.

"I was shocked when I was told to pay Sh10,000 more, which I did because I needed the land. I have been pushing them with no results, yet they have taken my money," he said.