The High Court has sentenced Acting Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli to six months in prison after being found guilty of contempt of court.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi today Friday, 13th September, 2024 ordered that he submits himself to commissioner general of prisons.
“In event he doesn’t submit himself CS Interior must take all steps to ensure he is committed to prison to serve sentence,” said the Judge
Mugambi, however, said Masengeli may avoid serving the sentence if he appears in court within the next seven days.
“Masengeli can redeem himself by availing himself before this court in person to answer to the issues which he has been avoiding failure to do so the sentence will become effect,” the Judge said.
Prior to the sentencing, the Acting IG made a last minute attempt to stop his sentencing.
Through advocate Cecil Miller and Steve Ogolla, Masengeli said he regrets non attendance in court.
After snubbing several summons, Masengeli today reaffirmed his respect to the court and the recognition and protection of the dignity and authority of the court.
Miller persuaded the Judge to suspend today’s sentence saying he was truly unable to attend due to the nature his of work.
But the Judge declined saying “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.”
On Monday, he was found guilty of contempt by the same court.
Masengeli was required to appear in court on Monday to explain the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of three people in Kitengela.
They went missing on August 19.
Several summons have been issued by the court but Masengeli has snubbed all of them.
On Monday, he sent DIG Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat to represent him saying he was in Wajir over security matters.
But Mugambi in his brief ruling said the IG has held the court at ransom and it is no longer able to ascertain what could have happened to the petitioners.