Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has been sentenced to six months in prison for contempt of court. The ruling, handed down by Justice Lawrence Mugambi, follows Masengeli’s repeated failures to appear before the High Court regarding the disappearance of three individuals in Kitengela.
On Monday, Justice Mugambi found Masengeli guilty of contempt for not honoring multiple court summons related to the case of the missing persons, who disappeared on August 19. Despite several orders for his appearance, Masengeli repeatedly failed to attend court, leading to the current sentencing.
The judge has ordered Masengeli to surrender himself to the Commissioner General of Prisons to serve his sentence. Should Masengeli fail to comply, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior has been directed to ensure his committal to prison.
In a final attempt to avoid imprisonment, Masengeli, represented by advocates Cecil Miller and Steve Ogolla, expressed regret for his absence and cited work-related issues that prevented his attendance. Miller urged the court to suspend the sentence, arguing that Masengeli’s work demands had made it difficult for him to appear in person. However, Justice Mugambi rejected this plea, stating that Masengeli had been given ample opportunity to comply with court orders.
Justice Mugambi emphasized that Masengeli could still avoid serving the sentence if he appears in court within the next seven days to address the ongoing issues. “Masengeli can redeem himself by availing himself before this court in person,” the judge stated, warning that failure to do so would result in the sentence taking effect.
The case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the tensions between the judicial system and law enforcement authorities. The disappearance of the three individuals in Kitengela remains unresolved, with Masengeli’s noncompliance hindering the court’s ability to advance the investigation.
The court’s decision underscores its commitment to enforcing legal responsibilities and ensuring that all parties adhere to judicial processes.