Kimilili MP Eseli Simiyu, Ford Kenya Party leader Moses Wetangula, Bungoma Governor Wycliffee Wangamati, and Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunynyi during burial service of Rosebellah Simiyu at Kakamega Rostaman on February9, 2019. Wetangula has called on government to prosecute those implicated on graft and has avoided commenting on Rashid Echesa's woes. [Photo: Benjamin Sakwa/Standard]

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula has said he cannot comment on the sacking of the former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Eshesa as President Uhuru Kenyatta did not consult him before hiring Mr Echesa.

Speaking in Funyula Constituency during the burial of the son of his aide Chris Mandu Mandu in Numuduru, Wetangula said dismissal of Echesa from President Kenyatta’s cabinet was a Jubilee affair and thus he will not speak about it.

The Ford Kenya Party Leader however observed that replacement of Echesa should have come from Western so that people from the region can feel part of the Jubilee Government.

“I have no business talking about the sacking of Echesa because the President did not ask me when he was hiring him neither did he ask me before sacking him,” said Wetangula.

He added,” sacking of Echesa is an affair of Jubilee which we are not party to it and the President can hire and fire his minister but if you sack one from our region replace with someone from our land.”

Wetangula called on the President to stamp his authority and send home Cabinet Secretaries being investigated. “We want to see heads roll, CSs who have misappropriated public funds should be fired so that Kenyans can know the war on corruption is serious,” said Wetangula.  

Echesa was fired last Friday. At a funeral in Matungu, Kakamega County Echesa appeared to have accepted the decision that was taken by President Kenyatta but said he was waiting to be told the reasons that led to his sacking.

According to him, the President has powers to sack and fire. “The President knew why he appointed me to serve and I believe he had a reason to ask me to step aside,” said Echesa.

“It is the prerogative of the President to reorganize his Cabinet the way he wants. Constitutionally the President has mandate and powers to hire and fire,” the immediate former Sport CS said.

Political bigwigs from Western have remained mum on the firing of Echesa save for a section of elected Members of Parliament from Kakamega led by Mumias East MP Ben Washiali.

Washiali expressed his bitterness and attributed the sacking of Echesa to the handshake between President Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.

“I am wondering what could have happened that led to sacking of Rashid since his ministry has not been in the limelight as far as matters about corruption is concerned,” said Washiali.