Ruto Points Fingers in Echesa's Ksh 40B KDF Fraud Case

Deputy President William Ruto on Saturday, February 15, broke his silence in the case involving former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa.

The DP issued the statement after The Standard reported of his aides being probed over a Ksh40 billion fraudulent arms deal that was allegedly negotiated and decided at the Harambee House Annex.

Addressing the reports, Ruto alleged that it was a plot by his political opponents to link him to the case. He then asked the DCI to go after the real fraudsters.

"The desperation of my political competitors on their choreographed smear campaign against William Samoei Ruto is evident even for fools (whom we have a shortage for) to see," Ruto claimed.

"Just wait and see where this will end up. Go for the fraudsters," he stated, further noting that he should be left alone to serve the nation.

Ruto's aides are a subject of interest, with The Standard reporting that police believed they had information crucial to the case, especially on the concepts and closure of the dealings. 

Security officials, secretaries and all aides serving at the deputy president's office are the target of the police probe.

“They must have known something. Again the complainant has named some of the staff. We also recovered the fake tender papers from the office,” the publication quoted a senior police officer party to the case.

Ex-CS Echesa was on Friday, February 14 arraigned at the JKIA law courts where he was charged with forgery over the arms deals.

It was alleged that Echesa used Ruto's office and signature of Defence Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma to close the multi-billion shilling deals to supply military surveillance equipment and guns.

Echesa was released on a Ksh1 million bail and would remain in remand until 6 p.m on Monday, February 17.

However, court documents from the case seen by Kenyans.co.ke have  no mention of DP Ruto despite his name being flaunted around in the allegations.

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