This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
On July 17, 2018, a heated exchange between Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa and Alego-Usonga MP Sam Atandi nearly turned violent at Kisumu International Airport.
Atandi confronted Echesa over his alleged attacks against Nasa leader Raila Odinga, saying it was Raila who had picked him from the streets and made him the ODM youth leader.
‘I asked him why he was attacking Raila Odinga when it was Raila who picked him from the streets and made him the ODM youth leader. Instead of responding with decorum, he started shouting and howling insults, causing a scene at the VIP lounge with many dignitaries watching,’ said Atandi.
Echesa, however, remained unapologetic, with Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi witnessing the incident and describing the minister as ‘out of order’.
‘There was no fight. It was polite talk between Atandi and Rashid. Rashid got a bit agitated but after a short time he calmed down after I told him to respect his position as CS because there were so many people at the airport,’ said Osotsi.
Eye witnesses said Echesa was so upset that if it were not for the police who quickly moved in to diffuse the tension, blows would have been exchanged.
