This archive report was first published on 15 July 2019.
Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa has fired a broadside at ODM party leader Raila Odinga, claiming that the former premier's influence has held back development in Luhya land.
Speaking in Kakamega town on Monday, Echesa alleged that most companies that have long been a source of income for the people of Western Region have collapsed or are on their deathbed due to the region's support for Raila.
'We are tired of gambling with the lives of our people, we have supported him more than enough without any return,' Echesa said, adding that Raila had promised the people of Western Region a 'land of milk and honey' but had instead joined his foes.
Echesa remained tight-lipped about his support for Deputy President William Ruto, stating that his backing would only be guaranteed if the DP assured that Luhyas would have a bigger stake in his government.
He also challenged President Uhuru Kenyatta to prove to Luhyas that he had their best interests at heart by helping Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi secure a leadership position.
'Just as the President helped Raila and Kalonzo secure leadership positions in the continent, so should he push for Musalia,' Echesa said.
He claimed that there was a stark contrast between the development in Kisumu and Kakamega, with the former enjoying an airport and attracting investors while the latter had seen no change under Raila's leadership.
'We have supported him all these years to the extent of rejecting our own (Mudavadi),' Echesa added.
