The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched a probe into former Cabinet Secretary for Sports Rashid Echesa over alleged money laundering connections, following the recovery of Ksh32 billion in counterfeit currency from a Ruiru property linked to his associate Joseph Waswa.
Investigations reveal Echesa maintained frequent communication with Waswa, who was implicated in last week's currency seizure. Call data analysis shows Waswa regularly contacted two other suspects, Joseph Munyao and Nancy Muthoni, often contacting Echesa after these interactions.
Authorities are examining whether Echesa visited the Ruiru site where the fake currency was found. They are also investigating his ties to Cameroonian Peter Longa, who was extradited from Kenya in 2018 over money laundering charges. Longa had been deported in 2017 and declared persona non grata by the then-Interior CS, but re-entered the country despite the ban.
Echesa was removed from his position on March 1, 2019, under constitutional provisions that allow for the vacating of cabinet appointments. A government statement cited Article 152(5) of the Constitution, read with Article 152(1)(d), as the basis for his dismissal.
In a recent interview, Echesa acknowledged a personal relationship with Waswa, who faced charges of defrauding a businessman of Ksh10 million using President Uhuru Kenyatta's name and voice. However, he denied being a business partner with Waswa.
