Police are in hot pursuit of former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa following an incident where he was tapped slapping an officer with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Thursday.
The incident happened at Bulonga Primary School in Matungu Constituency where a by-election is currently underway.
The seat fell vacant after the death of the late MP Justus Murunga.
After the Thursday morning incident, Echesa fled forcing police to surround his Mumias home in Shibale, Kakamega.
Echesa was angered by the IEBC official’s attempt to block an agent with Deputy President United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party from the polling venue.
The IEBC official Peter Okura is reportedly said to have blocked the agent from entering the polling centre because he had turned down a plea to wear is facemask.
In a viral video online, Echesa donned in a back cap and black jacket is angrily seen arguing with the IEBC officer before slapping him and continuing with his tirade.
A few of those at the scene pleaded with him to calm down.
UDA has fronted Alex Lanya to succeed the late Murunga who before his demise was a strong support of DP Ruto.
Murunga died in November 2020 after a short illness. He complained of shortness of breath while at home in the evening and was rushed to a nearby hospital and later to Kakamega where he died due to lack of oxygen.
The renewed chase with police stokes more controversy for Echesa who has been battling several cases in court including the infamous Ksh40 billion fake arms deal.
