Former sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa is now becoming an unpredictable politician in Western Kenya thanks to his recent change of tune that has left many in the region doubting his political stand.
Barely a month after dumping Deputy President William Ruto’s Tanga-tanga team and announcing his loyalty to Amani National Congress ANC party leader Musalia Mudacadi, the embattled leader has once again changed his initial stand and crawls back into William Ruto’s camp.
While speaking three weeks ago at a burial in Western Kenya in the Presence of Musalia Mudavadi, Echesa, announced that he had considered his support for Musalia’s 2022 presidential bid saying that would do anything in his power to ensure that Musali ascends to the presidency in 2022.
Echesa who was standing in the pulpit swore to stand by the son of the soil through good and bad towards 2022 saying that he no longer supports William Ruto. He went ahead to castigate his former ally saying the deputy President was using money to buy leaders, especially from Western Kenya without having any interest of the locals at heart.
“Those in Amani National Congress (ANC) party ought to realize that Mudavadi is a leader for all, he is the strongest presidential candidate we have in Western and we must help him clinch the top seat by all means,” he said.
He said that there were people who were going around the region thinking that they were more popular than Musalia because they were given money whose source he said they don’t know.
“Just eat his money but a Luyha vote will remain one. I want to assure you I will do all I can to see him (Musalia) become President” he told the mourners who were in attendance.
However, a month later, Echesa seems to have turned around and changed his tune. While speaking at Mumias Anglican Church (ACK) when he joined William Ruto’s entourage to the region, Echesa instead urged Mudavadi to drop his 2022 ambitions and instead join hands with DP Ruto and support his 2022 bid.
“I would like to urge my brother Musalia to come to join us in this team. This is the next government. He should make friends with DP and work together with him in 2022 by supporting him for the presidency” said Echesa.
He urged Ruto to leave the party’s doors open for all to join in. He said Ruto was popular in the region and as such should leave more space in the party for newcomers to enter.
Other leaders who were present at the function included Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East), Malulu Injendi (Malava) Justus Murunga (Matungu) Muriuki Njagagua (Mbeere North) and the host Johnson Naicca (Mumias West). Also in attendance was former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.