Former Cabinet Secretary Echesa Demands Release of His Seized Range Rover, Says He Fears Catching Covid-19 While Using Matatus

Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa has filed an application in court seeking to have his detained vehicle released.

In documents filed in court through his lawyer Bryan Khaemba, Echesa says he has been using public transport since his Range Rover with registration number KCR 786H was seized by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in March.

The use of matatus, he adds, puts him at risk of contracting the Covid-19 disease that has so far infected 1,029 people in Kenya and killed 50.

In addition, Echesa wants his two firearms—a Beretta 92 and a Ceska pistol—released into his custody until the prosecution responds to his earlier application, which was filed under a certificate of urgency.

“Let the vehicle and his firearms be released until the State is ready to respond to the application. It is almost three months since the application was filed in court.”

“It is against logic why the case was filed under a certificate of urgency,” lawyer Khaemba says in court filings.

Sleuths from DCI’s economic crimes unit on March 2nd seized five luxury vehicles during a raid of Echesa’s home in Nairobi’s Karen estate over claims that they were illegally acquired.

The five cars included a Toyota Landcruiser V8, a Volkswagen Passat, Mercedes Benz E class, Lexus saloon, and a Ford Ranger.

Echesa was fired from Cabinet by President Kenyatta in March 2019.