Former CS, Echesa moves to court, says his arrest was politically orchestrated

Sports and Heritage Cabinet Secretary nominee Rashid Achesa Muhamed during the vetting by the National Assembly Committee on Appointment.

Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa has moved to court over his arrest linked to Matungu killings.

In a petition filed under a certificate of urgency, the former CS says he is unfairly being targeted over his political alienation.

He wants the court to declare that his arrest and intended prosecution are an abuse of the criminal justice system and a contravention of his rights.

In his petition, Mr Echesa says the insecurity issue has a long history, which has absolutely nothing to do with him.

Through lawyer James Namatsi, Echesa pointed an accusing finger at the Executive for using officers attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to harass and frustrate him.

He has sued Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Nordin Haji, Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti, Inspector General of Police (IG) Hillary Mutyambai and Attorney General Paul Kihara.

“The petitioner received a call from the county police commander requesting him to go to Kakamega Police Station. Upon arrival, he was arrested and detained without being ordered to record any statement or given any reason for his arrest,” says the lawyer.

He revealed that he was whisked minutes later and taken to Nandi Hills Police Station where he was booked at 22:37 hours.

At Nandi Hills, he was informed that he was booked for the offence of murder in Matungu whose toll had risen to 21.

He also wants his gun returned, saying he is a licensed gun holder.

The petition will be heard today.