The High Court has sentenced Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli to six months imprisonment over contempt of court.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi further ordered him to serve six months in prison after consistently flouting summons with regard to the disappearance of three men in Kitengela.
It is alleged that Jamil Longton and his brother, Aslam Longton, together with activist Bob Njagi, were abducted by suspected police officers during the Gen Z protests on August 19, 2024.
In his judgement, Justice Mugambi termed the defiance a nullity for failure to observe the rule of law.
“The court cannot condone impunity and open defiance,” Justice Mugambi said. “Masengeli has been found guilty of contempt, and the court must meet the appropriate punishment. Such people cannot be allowed to hide here.”
Justice Mugambi directed Masengeli to present himself to the Commissioner General of Prisons to begin serving his sentence.
“He is ordered to surrender himself to the Commissioner General of Prisons to serve his sentence. In event he fails to surrender himself to prison, the CS for Interior must take steps to ensure he is committed to prison to serve his sentence,” said the judge.
The ruling has elicited sharp reactions from various quarters.
Former LSK president Nelson Havi said, “Gilbert Masengeli has been given the right to be heard, and he has refused. He must bear personal responsibility so that you impose the heaviest consequences of six months and a fine to be deducted from his salary.”
Masengeli’s lawyers had contended that he was absent in court because of some operation duties he had to attend to in Wajir, but the court did not buy this argument. The case has restored debates related to accountability and transparency within the police.
