Malala argued Raila is not an appointing authority in government and thus has no powers to sack anyone – He said the day Echesa landed the job, he thanked Ruto for appointing him in Cabinet and this meant it was the DP who had the capacity to send him home.
The lawmaker warned leaders against mentioning Raila’s name whenever they get in trouble – On his part, Echesa said he was yet to be told why he was sent packing and is waiting for a formal explanation
Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has castigated leaders claiming Opposition leader, Raila Odinga, influenced was behind the sacking of Sports CS Rashid Echesa.
Speaking on Sunday, March 3, in Maseno, Kisumu county, Malala said Raila was wrongfully accused because he is not the appointing authority and has no power to hire and fire government officials.
Malala said Raila was wrongfully accused stating it is only an appointing authority that has power to hire or fire.
The senator was responding to claims by the Deputy President (DP) William Ruto’s allies, led by Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali who was convinced Raila necessitated the sacking of Echesa.
According to Malala, when Echesa landed the job, he publicly admitted that it was Ruto who helped him ascend to the position of CS. “The day Echesa was appointed CS, he said it was the DP who selected him. After dismissal, he is now claiming that it is Raila who is behind his predicament. How possible is this? I think it is the person who appoints that has the capacity to fire,” the senator argued.
Malala emphasized neither the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition nor Raila who is a co-principal in the coalition, is in the government. “It is, therefore, wrong for the likes of Washiali to start blaming and pointing fingers at the ODM leader,” he said.
On Friday, March 1, Echesa was sent packing in a Cabinet reshuffle that saw Amina Mohammed moved from the Education Ministry to the Sports docket. The no-nonsense Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) boss, George Magoha, was picked to head the Education docket, replacing Mohamed.
In a related story, Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter came to the