Relief for ex-CS Rashid Echesa as court orders DCI to return his pistols, Range Rover

A Nairobi court has directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to hand back to former Sports CS Rashid Echesa two pistols and a Range Rover vehicle that were seized from him in February this year.

Magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot delivered the ruling following an application by Echesa to have the firearms and car surrendered back to him.

In his application the former CS, argued that he has been rendered immovable and subjected to embarrassment adding that using public transport at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic is risky for him.

The Magistrate granted Echesa’s plea noting that confiscation of the firearm is in contravention of a ruling delivered by the High Court and that the firearms are not related with the charges he is facing.

“I find that and hold that the applicant is entitled to possess the firearm and to also enjoy his motor vehicle,” ruled the Magistrate.

The court directed that the pistols be returned to Echesa together with the ceska magazine and ammunition.

Echesa is facing fraud-related charges over alleged involvement in a Ksh.40 billion military equipment fraud case.