The high court has given orders to the former sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Mohammed Echesa to be granted a personal bond of Sh 2 million.
In giving the orders, Justice Diana Kavedza directed Echesa to be escorted by his lawyers to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers for interrogation after discharging him from the hospital.
Justice Kavedza said Echesa should report to the officers for questioning and interrogation not later than April 22, 2024, and he was ordered to comply with investigators during the entire period of Investigation.
Pending the hearing and determination of the application, the DCI and any other law enforcement officers are restrained and prohibited from arresting or detaining him.
The judge also directed that “Upon conclusion of Investigations the investigating officer should notify the suspect to appear before the relevant court for plea taking,” read part of the court order.
Upon arraignment, she said that the orders given today by the court would lapse then and the trial court would have the liberty to set new terms of bail.
Echesa who is currently admitted to Karen Hospital was arrested on March 27, 2024, with allegations of obtaining Sh 240 million from Kakamega governor Fernandes Barasa and detained at Muthaiga Police Station for interrogation.
His defence lawyers led by Danstan Omari had claimed that their client was arrested while obeying surmons from the County Criminal Investigation Officers (CCIO) Nairobi area.
Mr Omari said that their client is currently admitted to hospital to keep his medical condition in check and his arrest was humiliating.
They sought conservatory orders to prevent the continued imminent and monumental abuse claiming that “Echesa has never been sermoned to appear before the Investigative agencies and no warrant of arrest was issued prior to his arrest hence his arrest was not procedural and was unjustifiable and therefore in breach of the process.”
In their application under certificate of urgency, the defence refers to Echesa as a law-abiding citizen who has served as the sports Cabinet Secretary in Uhuru’s regime and currently is the chairman of Kenya Water Towers following the appointment by the president.
They insisted that their client is sickly and had been in and out of the hospital and is required to go back to the hospital for a check-up as per his doctor’s recommendation.
They stated that continued detention of Echesa would prejudice his health as he is required to observe a certain diet while on medication and report to the doctor whenever required.
In giving the ruling on the matter, Justice Kavedza granted him a personal bond of Sh 2 million and directed the suspect be escorted to the DCI officers for interrogation not later than April 22, 2024.