Eldoret: Victims narrate pouring millions in new investment scam involving church leaders

Incidents of church members being duped by church leaders in Eldoret town have become too common, it now appears like a silly game.

Church leaders have been establishing small churches and once the membership soars, the leaders establish, what they call investment companies where they entice the flock to invest their hard-earned cash in the name of wealth creation.

The latest victims spoke to Citizen TV on Sunday, some too ashamed to show their faces.

The men and women who spoke to us say they joined ROFAM Centre a Christian Church, where Bishop Seko Silas spent little time to convince them to put their money in his De la Vie consult company.

Ebby Atema, a victim, narrated the ordeal: “Vile alilipa vizuri nikawakusanya akina mama wakachanga Ksh.1.8 milion tukaweka, hizo pesa zote zimeenda!”

The churchgoers were promised hefty returns, some 30 per cent of their invested cash every single month. those who have been duped say at first, they got paid, but resources from the company dried out fast.

“Sister-in-law alituintroduce… alisema tunaweza invest, so nichukua loan nika weka so far pesa ambazo nimeweka ni Ksh.4.6 million,” said another victim, Patrick Wafula.

Seko has sent several communications via emails and even phone conversations saying the company has run into some headwinds but payments will be made once the challenges are dealt with.

In some cases, Seko has dismissed the disgruntled members calling the names and boasting that his company will not fold despite their complaints.

Ebby Atema says she is in big trouble after urging her mother to give her a title deed in order to secure a loan which she invested at De La Vie Consult.

“Madeni yamenikumba sijui pakuanzia I don’t know what I will do in my life to recover this money. It's very painful I don't sleep I don't know how I will pay these debts. Niliweka pesa mpaka ya mamayangu. Nilichukua mpaka tittle deed ya my mum nikaeeka kama security nipewe loan. Nikachukua title deed ya my brother-in-law,” she narrates.

Adds Wafula: “Hashiki simu text akisema pesa ziko safe lakini malipo hafanyitunashindwa shida ni nini.”

Those who spoke to Citizen TV say they have reported the incidents to the police, but very little is being done to apprehend the perpetrator.