Echesa’s possible link to the suspects impersonating Uhuru and Sh32B fake currency saga could have led to his sacking

Was Echesa’s sacking linked to the Sh32B fake currency saga and suspects impersonating Uhuru? Details emerge

Charles Ouma

March 2, 2019 1:22 PM

Fresh details continue to emerge on what may have led to the sacking of former Sports CS Rashid Echesa by President Uhuru Kenyatta, a decision that caught many by surprise.

Was Echesa’s sacking linked to the Sh32B fake currency saga and suspects impersonating Uhuru? Details emerge

According to The Standard, Echesa could have been sacked due to possible links with a criminal enterprise behind last week’s Sh 32 billion fake currency seizure in Ruiru, Kiambu county.

Investigative agencies linked the fake currency to a gang of seven suspects that had been arrested and arraigned in court two days earlier for conning businessman Naushad Merali of Sh 10 million with one impersonating President Kenyatta.

Reports indicate that the sacked CS is a close associate to one of the suspects identified as Joseph Waswa.

According to the publication, police sources claim they suspect that the two (Echesa and Waswa) have private dealings, which also involves an international network linked to money laundering, among other cross-border crimes.

Other suspects who were arraigned before Nairobi Chief Magistrate Court are Joseph Waswa, Duncan Muchai, Isaac Wanyonyi, William Simiyu, David Luganya, Gilbert Kirunja and Anthony Wafula.

The seven fraud suspects who allegedly mimicked President Uhuru Kenyatta's voice to defraud trader Sh10 million Pulse Live Kenya

Although a reorganization of the Cabinet was widely anticipated in the wake of runaway corruption in government, Echesa’s name hardly featured on the likely casualties unlike some of his Cabinet colleagues who have even recorded statements with investigators over losses of billions within their docket.

DP Ruto's meeting with Uhuru saves CSs named in corruption scandals

Reports indicate that a last minute meeting between President Kenyatta and his DP Ruto saw the President change his mind on sacking five CSs who have been adversely mentioned in runaway graft in government.

DP reportedly arrived for the tense meeting which was also attended by Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua at 6 AM to present his views on the impending changes.

“The argument from one of the sides was that sacking them without evidence could amount to witch-hunt. It would also subject them to a public lynch mob. But the die was cast when one side posed where the lynch mob will stop at once encouraged with immature sackings,” a well-placed source told the paper.

Police bust fake foreign currency worth 32 Billion Pulse Live Kenya

It is on record that several MPs allied to the DP including Kipchumba Murkomen have alleged that the fight against corruption is unfairly targeting those close to DP Ruto with an aim of painting him as a corrupt individual.

Charles Ouma