A section of western leaders has criticised President Uhuru Kenyatta for the abrupt firing of Sports CS Rashid Echesa.
The politicians accused the president of being ungrateful to the people who stood with him and his party ahead of the August 8, 2017 election.
Led by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa they said that the region was given the Cabinet secretary slot for their contribution in getting President Uhuru Kenyatta re-elected.
“It’s very unfortunate that CS Echesa has been sacked. He was the only CS from the larger Western region since Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa is from Trans Nzoia County,” explained the MP who spoke to the Standard.
His sentiments were echoed by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala who added, “This had been the only cabinet slot in Kakamega county. We ask the president to consider appointing another leader from the county."
While acknowledging that the ex-Sports CS had his shortcomings, Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali noted that it was tough selling the Jubilee agenda in Western and that Mr. Echesa was among those who went out of their way to propagate Jubilee and make in ways for Mr. Kenyatta in the region.
The lawmaker who also referred to Echesa as ‘one of our own’ stated that the President should have invited leaders from the region and explained his decision so as to prepare them for it.
Washiali also warned that they remained worried, “because Mr. Kenyatta has shown he doesn’t value us.”
According to the Nation, a day before his sacking, Echesa had maintained that if he lost his job he would still remain appreciative of the Jubilee government for letting him serve the country under that capacity.
"I have achieved a dream I never thought of and I will forever remain thankful to God. The title will remain because people will be referring to me as a former Cabinet secretary,” he stated.
In an executive order on Friday, Uhuru fired Echesa replacing him with CS Amina who was moved from the ministry of education. Taking her previous spot is KNEC boss Prof George Magoha.
