Lawyers Danstan Omari, Cliff Ombeta Abandon Rashid Echesa's Case

• Kenya Water Towers Agency chairman and former Sports CS Rashid Echesa was arrested over alleged self-abduction
• Preliminary reports indicated that Echesa faked his abduction in a bid to implicate Kakamega governor Fernandes Barasa
• Echesa's lawyers, Danstan Omari and Cliff Ombeta, who vigorously defended him, have suddenly distanced themselves from him

Lawyers Danstan Omari and Cliff Ombeta have officially pulled out of representing Kenya Water Towers Agency chairperson Rashid Echesa.

Why did Danstan Omari and Cliff Ombeta abandon Rashid Echesa?

The two famous lawyers firmly stood with Echesa when he was arrested over self-abduction and extortion allegations.

In a letter addressed to the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the law firm Danstan Omari and Associates Advocates asked the DCI boss to note that they are no longer acting for him.

"Kindly note that we are no longer acting for the above-named person. Henceforth, direct any communication regarding him to him or his representatives," reads the letter seen by TUKO.co.ke.

The two advocates were at the forefront of seeking Echesa's release from custody after detectives arrested him and reportedly held him incommunicado over the Easter holiday.

Did Rashid Echesa kidnap himself?

Preliminary reports indicated that Echesa had allegedly self-kidnapped himself in a bid to implicate Kakamega governor Fernandes Barasa.

Thereafter, Omari secured his release from Muthaiga Police Station after he filed an application stating that his client was unwell and could die while in custody.

High Court Judge Diana Kavedza subsequently ordered restraining police officers from further holding Echesa on April 3, 2024.

"The allegations against the applicant remain unproven as he has not been officially charged, and even if he were to be charged, it would be a bailable offence. On allegations of self-abduction, the applicant was arrested on March 27, 2024, while obeying lawful summons by the county criminal investigations officer", Omari had argued during the application to free Echesa.

Rashid Echesa speaks after leaving police custody

In a Facebook post on Friday, April 12, Echesa thanked Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale, former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, and a host of other politicians from Luhya land for standing with him during his tribulation.

"I take this opportunity in a special way to thank all Kenyans for their fruitful prayers and all those who came to visit me at the Muthaiga Police Station and The Karen Hospital, including former governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Cleophas Malala, Mama Elsie Muhanda, Prof. George Wajakcoyah, Peter Nabulindo and Khadija Nganyi. I am happy to be back at home safe, though still recovering," he said.

He was speaking a few days after he left Karen Hospital, where he was admitted after being taken from Muthaiga Police Station.

During his release by the court, Echesa was granted a KSh 2 million anticipatory personal bond with Kavedza, directing the police to charge him before April 22 in case their investigations yielded criminal culpability.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke