Picture/ Courtesy
NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 5- After hours of hiding, former Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa was on Friday arrested, after he was captured on video slapping an electoral official.
National Police Service Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai had given the politician up to 1pm for him to surrender, but he only did so at 3pm.
The IG said he would be considered “armed and dangerous criminal” if he failed to surrender.
Shahidi News has established that he surrendered at about 3pm while in the company of a lawyer at Matungu police station.
“He is now at Kakamega police station,” a security source privy to his arrest told Shahidi News.
He is likely to face assault charges when he is charged in court on Monday.
It is not yet clear whether police will release him after Friday’s questioning or he will spend the weekend in custody.
The former Cabinet Secretary went into hiding following the assault incident that occurred at the Bulonga polling station.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiangi has since warned politicians against fueling violence following the chaos witnessed on Thursday in Nakuru, Kakamega and Bungoma Counties.
The CS who spoke on Friday directed that all firearm licenses issued to leaders involved in the chaos to be suspended.
He said the government will invoke Chapter Six of the Constitution and ensure such leaders don’t run for any elective posts.
“We will deal with this menace once and for all. We can’t have leaders paying bonds of Sh10,000 and wait for the (case) mention after around 10 months. By the time they are back to court, they have slapped ten other people and constantly keep paying bonds,” a tough speaking CS said.
Matiangi was speaking during the launch of the National Land Commission’s 2021/2026 strategic plan.
Those arrested on Thursday included Senator Samson Cherargei, MPs Didmus Baraza, Nelson Koech and Wilson Kogo.
They were arrested over the chaos in Kabuchai in Bungoma County and were on Friday charged in court.
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