Embattled former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa was on Monday arraigned in court and revealed what transpired during his arrest on Thursday, February 13, over his alleged involvement in a fake arms tender.
Through his lawyer, Evans Ondieki, Echesa, who did not take plea, told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) ambushed them since they were set to appear in another court.
According to Ondieki, the former sports boss was set to appear at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) court for a mention of a miscellaneous application against him.
Ondieki also protested against the prosecution of Echesa on social media while citing comments made by Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, Siaya Senator James Orengo and COTU boss Francis Atwoli.
“The office of the Deputy President has become a crime scene, with people getting into his office masquerading as army generals, that is very strange,” Orengo was quoted over the weekend.
He claimed that the four leaders were pressuring the court to deny his client bail while alluding that the case against Echesa is only meant to fight the Deputy President William Ruto.
The prosecution had requested 21 days to detain Echesa pending the conclusion of investigations which would see the probe team travel to the United States to collect more evidence.
echesa back in court pic.twitter.com/d4PzhsNg2t
— THE RIPOTA (@TheRipota) February 17, 2020
In its submissions, the state argued that the probe team needed more time to ascertain the authenticity of documents alleged to have originated from the ministry of Defence.
According to the DPP, the nature of the investigations is complex and releasing the accused from custody would jeopardize the collection of evidence and risk possible witness interference.
Nairobi magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot is set to make a ruling on Monday noon on whether Echesa will take plea.
Echesa is charged alongside three others identified as Daniel Otieno, Clifford Okoth and Kennedy Oyoo.
Their charges involve obtaining money by pretence, uttering a false document, making a document without authority, and conspiracy to commit a felony.