Acting Police IG Gilbert Masengeli disobeys Court summon

Nairobi, 

Tuesday, 3 September, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Acting IG Police Gilbert Masengeli has failed to appear in court, where he was summoned over the disappearance of two siblings and an activist in Kitengela. 

Instead, Masengeli was represented by a lawyer who informed the court that the IG was unable to attend due to official duties.

Masengeli's lawyer added that a file had been opened at Kitengela Police Station regarding the missing persons.

This comes weeks after Activist Bob Njagi and brothers Jamil and Aslay Longton went missing without a trace on August 19, during the Anti-government protests. 

Sources indicate that the three were forcibly taken away by unknown persons who are believed to police. 

On August 26, the court called for the unconditional release of the abducted persons and ordered the police boss to avail himself to explain why orders to release detained and abducted protestors were not complied with. 

The Law Society of a Kenya (LSK) is now seeking a warrant of arrest for Masengeli for failing to obey the court summons. 

According to the Law body, there was no substantive reason presented in court to corroborate Masengeli's reason for missing the hearing. 

"They are showing no intention of honouring the court orders. The purported official duties (Masengeli is on) are not important than human lives," she said.

Furthermore, LSK had earlier demanded that the Acting IG produce activist Njagi and the Longton brothers.

“The LSK demands the immediate production of Mr Bob Micheni Njagi, Mr Jamil Longton, and Mr Aslam Longton by the Inspector General of Police; thorough investigations on the ongoing abductions; and immediate action to deter any further abductions as we shall not sit back and allow the country to fall back to the dark days politically sanctioned killings and disappearances,” LSK President Faith Adhiambo statement. 

The Court will rule whether to issue an warrant of arrest against Masengeli.