A section of western Kenyan leaders had accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of being ‘ungrateful’ and ‘unthankful’ of the region’s support following the firing of Rashid Echesa from the position of Cabinet Secretary.
The politicians led by Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali had said that Achesa wasn’t supposed to be sacked but retained to represent the interests of the luhya community.
Leaders recalled how Achesa campaigned for the Jubilee government in 2017 in the region.
Washiali noted: “It was tough selling the Jubilee agenda in Western” and that “Mr Echesa was among people who went out of their way to propagate Jubilee and create in-routes for Mr Kenyatta to access the region”.
The lawmaker, who referred to Mr Echesa as “one of our own”, went on to say that Mr Kenyatta should have invited Luhya leaders to a meeting to explain his decision and prepare them for it.
Echesa had said that his tough stance against privatization of state-owned sugar factories and his unwavering support for Deputy President William Ruto’s 2022 bid contributed to is removal on March 1.
He further accused the former PM is using his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta to frustrate harmony in government and rock the Jubilee Party from within, Echesa said.
“Since Raila joined the government through the handshake, our President and the party have been frustrated,” he said.
The Ex cabinet secretary is yet to know his fate on whether Uhuru will consider him for the job.
The politicians accused Raila Odinga of influencing Uhuru to sack the Cabinet Secretary.