The High Court has overturned the acquittal of former sports cabinet secretary Rashid Echesa in the Ksh.39 billion fake arms case.
Milimani High Court Judge Kanyi Kimondo, in delivering the judgment, highlighted a critical error made by the trial magistrate, attributing it to a lack of testimony from specific witnesses.
Judge Kimondo emphasized that the prosecution had successfully presented a robust case against Echesa.According to the ruling, the trial court should not have acquitted Echesa but rather found him with a case to answer.
the former Cabinet Secretary has been directed to appear in person before the Milimani Chief Magistrate on March 4, 2024 for mention and directions regarding his defense hearing in the arms-related case.
Initially charged alongside Daniel Otieno, Clifford Okoth, Kennedy Oyoo, and Chrispin Oduor Odipo, Echesa faced a range of offenses linked to the Ksh.39 billion fake arms scandal. These charges included conspiring to commit a felony, making a document without authority, obtaining money by false pretense, attempting to commit a felony, and uttering a false document.
Despite the legal challenges, Echesa assumed the position of Chairperson of the Kenya Water Towers Agency Board in May 2023, appointed by President William Ruto.