Masengeli found guilty of contempt of court

By Peter Ochieng

Acting Police Inspector General (IG) Gilbert Masengeli has been found guilty of contempt of court.

This is after over five summons were issued to him to to appear in court, but he never showed up.

He was required to appear to explain the whereabouts of three men, who reportedly went missing on August 19, 2024 in Kitengela under mysterious circumstances.

Today, the Acting IG sent Eliud Lagat, Deputy IG to represent him owing to the fact that he had an engagement in North Eastern.

High Court judge Lawrence Mugambi was unwilling to offer Lagat a hearing ear, stating that impunity and open defiance cannot be allowed and those hell-bent won't find refuge.

"Masengeli is guilty of contempt and the court ought to punish him accordingly," said the Judge.

Masengeli will be sentenced on Friday.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) wants him declared unfit to hold office, over contempt of court.

Masengeli met several National Police Service (NPS) officers in Mandera and Wajir counties.

He was accompanied by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) head Mohamed Amin and General Service Unit (GSU) Commandant Ranson Lolmodooni among others, in conducting a security assessment of the operational areas including Wajir, Mandera and Garissa Counties this week.

The assessment comes on the backdrop of recent probing attacks in the security camps, the latest being yesterday's probing incident by suspected militia at Khorof Harar.

Douglas Kanja is waiting on the wings, to be appointed the next substantive IG.

He will replace Japhet Koome, who resigned at the height of anti-government protests in June and July.