Bishop Gakuyo: Lift ban on all Ekeza properties

Ekeza Sacco founder David Kariuki Ngari (pictured) alias Gakuyo wants the Government to rescind a decision barring him from selling properties to refund sacco members.  

Speaking yesterday, Mr Ngari said the decision was ill-advised. He added that he did not understand why Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya last week said he would block him from selling the properties.

This is ironical because the same ministry has been putting pressure on him to refund members.

Ngari said Munya’s claims that he might not refund members even after disposing the assets were unfounded.

“I want the CS to know that the funds will be deposited in the Ekeza Sacco and used to refund members,” said Ngari

“The commissioner of cooperatives is a signatory of the account which means no money can be withdrawn without her consent.”

Ngari has disclosed that the properties are worth Sh1.8 billion.

Under pressure

The Ekeza Sacco management has been under pressure from members who have been flocking to their officers, demanding a refund of their deposits.

Two weeks ago, Gakuyo Real Estate, which was founded by Ngari who is also the Bishop of Calvary Chosen Centre Church, placed an advert in a local daily listing the properties it wants to dispose of.

They include a residential house in Nyari estate near Village Market, Nairobi, a hotel in Juja town and a house on a half-acre land along Thika-Garissa road near Makongeni estate.

Gakuyo is also selling a four-storey building along the Thika-Garissa road, a 50-acre piece of land in Kilimambogo, Thika, 100 acres in Kabati, Murang’a, and a quarry, also in Kabati. He owes sacco members Sh400 million.