Acting Inspector General (IG) of Police Gilbert Masengeli has been sentenced to six months imprisonment for contempt of court.
This is after acting IG defied court summons for the seventh time on Monday September 9.
In his Ruling, on Friday September 13, Justice Lawrence Mugambi ordered Masengeli to submit himself to the commissioner general of Kenya Prisons to ensure that he is to be committed to a prison facility to commence serving sentence of the imprisonment imposed.
“In the event that he does not submit himself to the commissioner general of Kenya Prisons as ordered, the CS for Interior must take all steps that are necessary and permissible in Law to ensure Masengeli is commissioned to prison to commence serving the sentence imposed on him.”
The court however found it desirable to impose as a coercive order as opposed to a punitive order.
“In that regard Masengeli might avoid serving this sentence and therefore in that regard the court shall suspend this sentence for seven days only,” Mugambi added.
Court Ruling and Masengeli Appealing
Mugambi ruled that the acting Inspector of Police can redeem himself and complying by availing himself before the court in person and answer the issues he has been avoiding.
“In the fault, the sentence shall become automatically effective,” the Judge added.
Also Read: Masengeli Breaks Silence on Snubbing Court as Sentencing Nears
Before the sentencing, the Acting Inspector General made a last-minute attempt to halt the proceedings.
Through his legal representatives, advocates Cecil Miller and Steve Ogolla, Masengeli expressed his regret for his previous non-attendance in court.
After having ignored several summonses, Masengeli today reaffirmed his respect for the court, acknowledging its dignity and authority.
Miller urged the judge to suspend today’s sentence, citing Masengeli’s genuine inability to attend due to the demands of his work.
However, in his response Mugambi declined stating, “As a court I wouldn’t want to be unfair to anyone. I’ve done more than I could to accommodate him. I gave him more than fare chances. I even accommodated him on the last day.”
Also Read: Lawrence Mugambi: Profile of Bold Judge Who Sentenced Masengeli to Prison
Why Masengeli Was Sentenced
Masengeli, who is responsible for protecting Kenyans in an acting capacity, failed to appear in the High Court regarding the disappearance of three men abducted in Kitengela last month.
The three men—Jamil Longton, his brother Aslam Longton, and activist Bob Njagi—were reportedly abducted by individuals suspected to be police officers on August 19, 2024, during the Gen Z protests.
His absence, attributed by his legal team to operational activities in Wajir, resulted in his conviction for contempt of court.
The High Court found Masengeli guilty of disobeying court orders, with Justice Lawrence Mugambi stating that the court cannot tolerate impunity and open defiance. He warned that those who persist in such behavior will not find refuge.
In his ruling, Justice Lawrence Mugambi noted that Masengeli had effectively held the court at ransom, obstructing its ability to determine the petitioners’ fate.
“Masengeli is guilty of contempt, and the court must impose an appropriate punishment,” the judge declared.
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