NAIROBI, Kenya – The High Court has sentenced Acting Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli to six months in prison after he was found guilty of contempt of court for repeatedly defying summons.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi, delivering the ruling, ordered Masengeli to surrender to the Commissioner General of Prisons to begin serving his sentence.
In his judgment, Justice Mugambi issued a stern warning, stating that if Masengeli fails to present himself, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior must ensure his immediate commitment to prison.
However, the judge offered a lifeline, allowing Masengeli to avoid jail if he personally appears before the court within the next seven days to address the matter.
“Masengeli can redeem himself by appearing in court to answer the issues he has been avoiding. Failure to do so, the sentence will take full effect,” Mugambi said.
The sentencing follows Masengeli’s failure to comply with multiple court summons related to the disappearance of three individuals in Kitengela on August 19.
Despite being required to explain the circumstances of their disappearance on Monday, Masengeli sent Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat to represent him, citing his presence in Wajir for security reasons.
In a last-minute bid to prevent the sentencing, Masengeli’s lawyers, Cecil Miller and Steve Ogolla, pleaded with the court, expressing regret over his absence and reaffirming the Acting IG’s respect for the court’s authority.
Miller argued that the nature of Masengeli’s work made it difficult for him to attend earlier proceedings.
Justice Mugambi, however, rejected the plea for leniency, emphasizing that the court had already given the Acting IG multiple opportunities to comply.
“I have been more than fair. The court extended several chances to him, even on the final day,” the judge remarked.
The court’s frustration stemmed from Masengeli’s consistent failure to address the summons, which has hindered progress in determining what happened to the missing individuals.
Justice Mugambi noted that Masengeli’s actions have held the court “at ransom,” obstructing justice in the ongoing investigation.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi, delivering the ruling, ordered Masengeli to surrender to the Commissioner General of Prisons to begin serving his sentence.
In his judgment, Justice Mugambi issued a stern warning, stating that if Masengeli fails to present himself, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior must ensure his immediate commitment to prison.
However, the judge offered a lifeline, allowing Masengeli to avoid jail if he personally appears before the court within the next seven days to address the matter.
“Masengeli can redeem himself by appearing in court to answer the issues he has been avoiding. Failure to do so, the sentence will take full effect,” Mugambi said.
The sentencing follows Masengeli’s failure to comply with multiple court summons related to the disappearance of three individuals in Kitengela on August 19.
Despite being required to explain the circumstances of their disappearance on Monday, Masengeli sent Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat to represent him, citing his presence in Wajir for security reasons.
In a last-minute bid to prevent the sentencing, Masengeli’s lawyers, Cecil Miller and Steve Ogolla, pleaded with the court, expressing regret over his absence and reaffirming the Acting IG’s respect for the court’s authority.
Miller argued that the nature of Masengeli’s work made it difficult for him to attend earlier proceedings.
Justice Mugambi, however, rejected the plea for leniency, emphasizing that the court had already given the Acting IG multiple opportunities to comply.
“I have been more than fair. The court extended several chances to him, even on the final day,” the judge remarked.
The court’s frustration stemmed from Masengeli’s consistent failure to address the summons, which has hindered progress in determining what happened to the missing individuals.
Justice Mugambi noted that Masengeli’s actions have held the court “at ransom,” obstructing justice in the ongoing investigation.
