David Kariuki AKA Gakuyo moved from Makongeni, Thika, where he occupied a two-bedroomed house, to the leafy Nyari Estate near the United Nations offices in Gigiri where residential units generally go for about Sh200 million.
The property located within the premium blue zone recommended for expatriates and diplomats is an eight-bedroomed house with a detached servant quarters and a private swimming pool as well as a parking lot for at least five cars.
He also invested the proceeds in an expansive farm in Kabati in Murang’a County that boasts of an active building stones quarry, Lilies Hotel in Juja as well as Thika’s Salama House and operated Swift Breeze Hardware shop along Garissa Road, Thika.
These are some of the properties that he wants auctioned to raise the Sh1 billion he is accused of siphoning from Ekeza Sacco to refund members’ cash.
And with his involvement in Jubilee politics, Gakuyo appeared to enjoy State protection and approval needed to attract money from elderly women, shamba boys, house girls, bus conductors, hawkers, boda boda operators, peasant farmers as well as other small traders, private and public sector employees.
After the elections, Mr Gakuyo was rewarded with a job as Kiambu Governor’s economic adviser where he moves around in a top-of-the range utility vehicles often escorted by county askaris in a chase car.
But no one has questioned his integrity to hold public office amid rising complaints of Ekeza’s inability to meet members’ demands.