Former Sports and Heritage CS Rashid Echesa has blamed opposition leader Raila Odinga for his sacking.
Echesa said on Saturday that his tough stance against privatisation of state-owned sugar factories and his unwavering support for Deputy President William Ruto’s 2022 bid contributed to is removal on March 1.
The former PM is using his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta to frustrate harmony in government and rock the Jubilee Party from within, Echesa said.
“Since Raila joined the government through the handshake, our President and the party have been frustrated," he said.
But nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi asked Echesa to stop dragging Raila’s name into his self-inflicted troubles.
“All Kenyans know Raila has nothing to do with hiring and firing in government. If he had, he would have sacked him when he dared him [Raila] to sack him,” he said.
Echesa on Saturday demanded to know reasons for his sacking, saying he has never been implicated in any scandal in government. He spoke during the burial of Elizabeth Omusula at Shibale village, Mumias West.
The question people are still asking is why was I sacked. I, too, am still demanding to be given the reason," he said.
He added, “People are talking of some fake money that was found and other things. If I am not told the reason for my sacking, in future I may get an opportunity to serve in government again and repeat the same mistakes."
The former CS defended DP Ruto against attacks on his integrity. “Ruto took me from ODM and asked me to join Uhuru who later employed me, so people should not bring his [Ruto] name into my woes," Echesa said.
He was accompanied by the former senator and Ford Kenya Deputy Party leader Boni Khalwale.
Khalwale said he was not against the war on graft but it appeared to be targeting a certain community.
