Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa has demanded President Uhuru Kenyatta clarify the reasons for his dismissal, accusing the administration of political retaliation and citing systemic corruption within the Jubilee government.
Echesa, who served in the cabinet for a year, denied allegations of wrongdoing, stating, "If I have stolen anything belonging to any person, let the President tell Kenyans so that I am not asked this question every now and then." He emphasized that the law mandates accountability for public resource theft but claimed his removal stemmed from his exclusion from political "dynasties" associated with Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
The former minister alleged he was targeted for political reasons after aligning with Deputy President William Ruto's faction. "Get Dr Ruto out of my sacking. It is him who approached me to get out of ODM and join Jubilee," Echesa said, while criticizing Odinga for undermining Jubilee unity. He reiterated his presence in government through his 2017 parliamentary victory in Mumias West, stating, "We are not going to cede an inch of our position in government."
Echesa also addressed claims of involvement in a fake currency scandal in Ruiru, Kiambu County, challenging authorities to prosecute him if evidence existed. He accused Kenyatta of becoming "a bitter person" due to the 2013 handshake agreement with Odinga, urging Kenyans to pray for the president "from evil spirits" caused by the political alliance.
Meanwhile, former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale called for presidential impeachment over alleged corruption, arguing the Jubilee government had institutionalized graft since 2013.
