This archive report was first published on 17 June 2020.
On June 17, 2020, Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji filed an application to have the High Court revoke orders directing former Sports CS Rashid Echesa's car and firearms to be surrendered to him.
The move comes after Magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot allowed Echesa's application to return his cars and pistols, which had been taken following investigations related to a Ksh.40 billion fake military tender.
According to Haji, the vehicles are being held pursuant to Section 26(C) of the Criminal Procedure Code, which indicates that the state is mandated to detain and search items purported to have been unlawfully acquired.
"The State intends to initiate further charges in lieu of the two firearms depending on the report the Chairman, Firearm Licensing Bureau will submit and the charges shall be rendered futile if the said firearms are released to the respondent," Haji stated.
The prosecution stated that the two firearms were taken to the Chairman Firearm Licensing Bureau for verification, but they were yet to receive the results due to the inconveniences caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On February 13 and 15, 2020, the police had seized Echesa's items during a raid at his house in Karen, Nairobi, recovering a rifle, Ceska and Berreta pistols owned by the politician, and 104 rounds of ammunition.
