Locals recall the day Atwoli ‘cursed’ former minister

Mixed reactions greeted the sacking of Sports Cabinet secretary Rashid Echesa yesterday.

Some locals interviewed believe that Mr Echesa’s fate was sealed when Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli cursed the CS in broad daylight.

Mr Atwoli uttered the curse during the burial of Lugari MP Ayub Savula’s daughter, Joanne Chepchirchir at Manyonyi village on January 5. He asked God to punish Echesa for being disrespectful and unappreciative.

The Cotu boss recounted how Echesa frequented his home to ask for financial assistance.

“It is a shame that the young man (Echesa) went public about my family issues. I regard him as a son and he should have known better not to tell people how my (estranged) wife would nag him for financial support,” Atwoli claimed. He went ahead to recite a curse facing the sun.

“If he (Echesa) ever benefited from my hard-earned cash, let him know no peace in his entire life,” Atwoli declared. Elders from the Luhya community warned that the curse by Atwoli should not be taken lightly. “When a man who is old enough to be your father or grandfather curses you, anything bad can happen,” said Elkana Chikamayi, 80, from Shinyalu sub-county.

Local elected leaders then demanded that Echesa respect Atwoli and his seniors. The former CS had earlier rubbished ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi’s 2022 presidential bid, saying Mudavadi lacked the financial muscle to contest for the seat.

Other locals believe that he set himself up when he dared Opposition leader Raila Odinga to sack him. “I dare Raila wherever he is to sack me if indeed he is the appointing authority,” said Echesa in Matungu sub-county.