An official inquiry report by the Trade and Co-operatives Ministry has revealed that Thika-based Bishop David Kariuki Ngari allegedly stole money from the troubled Ekeza Savings and Credit Cooperative Society.
The report released on Thursday during the Sacco's special Annual General Meeting at Kasarani stadium showed that Ngari, also known as Gakuyo, illegally withdrew members money to fund his lifestyle.
The televangelist-cum-politician reportedly transferred Sh1.5 billion between 2015 and 2017 to his own account.
The Calvary Chosen Centre bishop and his wife are the only signatories of the Gakuyo Real Estate account.
Sh88 million was irregularly transferred in 2015, Sh850 million in 2016 and Sh625 million in 2017, the report showed.
During the reported period, some members took loans amounting to Sh507 million to buy homes from Gakuyo's real estate firm.
"So we can say the money Gakuyo owes members is about Sh1 billion. This is the money he took illegally and without any approval of the members, and it is the money we want him to pay," said Stephen Njoroge, one of the appointed liquidator-receiver.
Njoroge, the assistant director for co-operative audit, prepared the report alongside principal co-operative officer Philip Ulluma.
The officials noted the bishop founded Ekeza with an intention of enriching himself and not to help members to own homes as advertised in the media.
The audit further revealed that members money was misappropriated through dubious expenses which Sacco managers could not explain.
They allegedly beat accountability by refusing to use the smart information management system already installed.
Njoroge and Ulluma recommended assets belonging to the bishop, his wife and his firm Gakuyo Real Estate be seized to recover monies owed to the suffering members of Ekeza Sacco.