How CS Echesa Swindled Two Foreigners Sh11.5 million

Former Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Rashid Echesa was yesterday arrested along Harambee Avenue after two foreigner investors allegedly claimed he lured them into a fake military equipment contract.

The controversial fired CS who spent his Thursday undergoing grilling at the CID offices allegedly swindled the two businessmen Sh11.5 million they had paid as ‘consultancy fees’.

In order to secure the deal, Echesa is said to have approached the Egyptian and American nationals through email posing as a Kenyan politician with a lot of influence promising to hook them up with a lucrative Ksh.39.5 billion tender.

As a show of commitment, the businessmen are reported to have paid a firm known as Pizzle Consultancy Sh11.5 million which allegedly went straight to the former ODM leaders pockets.

To build and put up face, the former CS is said to have held meetings with the directors of the company at a Nairobi Hotel in the presence of people dressed in military uniform, Echesa also held boardroom meetings with the men at Harambee Annex, where the office of the Deputy President William Ruto is.

“He has even been hosting them in a government boardroom claiming he would help secure the said tender,”Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss George Kinoti said while confirming they were investigating claims that Echesa had defrauded the foreigners.

Fictitious tender documents found both in the Office of the Deputy President and Echesa’s car, bear government letterheads and the signature of Defence Cabinet Secretary Amb. Monica Juma among other senior ministry officials. Forensic investigations are underway.

Echesa, was arrested together with three other suspects, namely, Daniel Otieno Omondi, Kennedy Oyoo Mboya, and Clifford Okoth.