Acting Police IG Gilbert Masengeli sentenced to 6 months imprisonment

Nairobi, 

Friday, 13 September, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

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 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.

Masengeli who was not present during the sentence was represented by advocates Cecil Miller and Steve Ogolla, who argued that Masengeli regrets failure to appear in court. 

Masengeli has breached about four court summons where he was ordered to present himself to explain the uncertainties in whereabouts of abducted protestors. 

Despite efforts by Masengeli's lawyers to convince the judge to suspend today's sentence over what they described as inability to attend due to the nature his of work. The Judge declined the request. 

Justice Mugambi said "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."

The IG has consequently been Ordered to surrender himself to the Commissioner General of Prisons to serve his sentence.