High Court Judge Kanyi Kimondo has overturned the acquittal of Kenya Water Towers Agency Board chairperson Rashid Echesa's acquittal in the Ksh.39 billion fake arms case

Kimondo delivered the judgment, stating that the trial magistrate had erred in acquitting Echesa due to a lack of testimony from certain witnesses.

Judge Kimondo ruled that the prosecution had presented a strong case against Echesa and that the trial court should have found him with a case to answer, thus requiring him to defend himself rather than acquitting him.

As a result of this decision, the former Sports Cabinet Secretary has been directed to appear in person before the Milimani Chief Magistrate on March 4, 2024, for mention and directions on his defense hearing in the arms matter.

Echesa was initially charged alongside Daniel Otieno, Clifford Okoth, Kennedy Oyoo, and Chrispin Oduor Odipo with various offenses including conspiring to commit a felony, making a document without authority.

Obtaining money by false pretense, attempting to commit a felony, and uttering a false document in connection with the Ksh.39 billion fake arms scandal.

Echesa was appointed as Chairperson of the Kenya Water Towers Agency Board by President William Ruto in May 2023.