Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa was granted a Ksh. 2 million bond by the High Court in Nairobi last week pending the conclusion of his case. The court’s decision comes in response to Mr. Echesa’s bail application, citing a violation of his rights to liberty under Article 29 of the Constitution.
In a virtual ruling, High Court Judge Diana Kavedza approved Echesa’s bail application and ordered him to execute a personal bond of Kshs. 2 million. The court also barred the authorities from re-arresting or detaining him for the same offence. Mr Echesa is currently undergoing medical treatment at a hospital in Nairobi.
Judge Kavedza emphasised that Echesa must cooperate with investigators during the interrogation process. The court granted the orders sought by Echesa’s legal team, considering the argument that his arrest was unlawful and his health was at risk.
Echesa’s lawyer, Dunstan Omari, defended his client’s release on cash bail, asserting that his client posed no flight risk as he is a well-known Kenyan citizen. Omari further assured that Echesa would comply with any future court summons.
This development follows Echesa’s failure to undergo questioning at the DCI Headquarters three days after his arrest on allegations of obtaining money by false pretence. The former CS is accused of extortion in a case involving Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa.
