A Nairobi magistrate will Friday rule on whether televangelist David Gakuyo will be held for four days pending further probe into allegations of embezzling Sh1 billion from members of his Ekeza Sacco.
In the meantime, Milimani magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo directed that Gakuyo remains in custody at Muthaiga police station pending the ruling.
His defence counsels led by Ndegwa Njiru and Danstan Omari were opposed to the request by the DCI saying they have been investigating the matter for the last five years and their client has always been available to investigators during the period.
They also denied claims that Gakuyo is likely to interfere with the ongoing probe.
Some members of his church and those believed to be victims of the alleged fraud thronged the courtroom to follow the proceedings.
The televangelist was arraigned early morning after he was arrested at JKIA on February 21, while on transit to Zambia.
The police sought who to detain him for four days said they are investigating a case of conspiracy to commit a felony, obtaining money by false pretences, stealing and money laundering involving over Sh1 billion.
In an affidavit, Bernard Gikandii an officer attached at DCI, said the investigations are at an advanced stage. "We are likely to have him charged in several cases involving over 50,000 victims spread all over the country," the officer said.
They want the court to issue an order and have him detained at Muthaiga police station for four days pending further probe into the matter.
Gikandii has cited the public outcry from his victims and other affected persons over the funds lost or allegedly stolen by Gakuyo and companies associated with him.
He is convinced that Gakuyo is likely to interfere with the ongoing investigations including contacting critical witnesses and concealing material documents necessary and relevant to the probe.