Former sports CS Rashid Echesa lands government job

Former Sports Minister Rashid Echesa during the Mashujaa Day 2022 celebrations at Uhuru Gardens on October 20, 2022. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Former sports Cabinet Secretary, Rashid Echesa has been appointed the chairperson of the Kenya Water Towers Agency Board.

President William Ruto appointed Echesa to serve in the capacity for a period of three years, effective May 19, 2023.

"I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Rashid Echesa to be the Chairperson of the Kenya Water Towers Agency Board, for a period of three (3) years," reads the gazette notice.

The former CS replaces Robert Kariuki at the water tower agency who was an appointee in the past regime.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has also picked former Turbo Member of Parliament Elisha Busienei and Michael Waititu as board members, to also serve for three years.

Echesa, who will now be at the helm of the Water Tower Agency board, served as Cabinet Secretary for Sports and Heritage for one year before he was fired by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in March 2019.

Amina Mohammed then replaced him in the cabinet reshuffle.

The name Rashid Echesa was little known until 2018 when it appeared in the list of nominated Cabinet Secretaries to be vetted in parliament.

His name became the talk of the town as people widely questioned his ability to step into the big shoes of his predecessor Hassan Wario in a docket that had been threatened by various scandals.

Echesa rose to the top of public service with one of the shortest CVs on record. A grassroots operator with a temper and quick fist, many viewed his appointment and clearance to the top office then as a big joke.

After his sacking, Echesa put a low profile until the recent military equipment scam where he was charged with forgery in a case involving an alleged Sh39 billion fraudulent arms deal.

He was arrested following a complaint by two gun dealers who claimed he swindled Sh11.5 million from them that they had paid as 'consultancy fees'.

In other State appointments, the Head of State has also appointed Eng. Gilbert Maluki to chair the National Irrigation Authority Board for three years effective today, Friday, May 19.

Ruto further revoked the appointment of Joshua Toro.