Nairobi, March 28 -- Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa has been arrested for his alleged role in an extortion ring targeting Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa.

According to Echesa's lawyer, Danstan Omari, his client, who is also the chairperson of the Kenya Water Towers Agency, was arrested and initially taken to Muthaiga Police Station over charges of extortion and stage-managing an abduction.

Mr Omari did not divulge more details regarding the matter.

The arrest comes barely a week after a man was been charged before a Kibera court with extorting Sh240 million from Kakamega governor Fernandes Barasa.

Mr William Simiyu Matere alias Elijah was presented before Kibera Senior Pprincipal magistrate Ann Mwangi. The accused de...