MP files parliamentary motion seeking removal of Acting IG Masengeli

By Robert Mutasi 

Ugenya Member of Parliament David Ochieng threatened to introduce a parliamentary motion to have the Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli removed from office if he does not resign before the end of the day. 

Ochieng said Masengeli has defied the court and that some other external forces were encouraging him not to vacate the office.

"What happened were basically the reasons for being here to say that, if Acting IG Gilbert Masengeli doesn't resign by today, I will table a motion in Parliament for his removal from office. It should be scandalous for a police boss to refuse to obey a court order. I believe Masengeli is not acting on his own; someone is steeling him to stay put." MP Ochieng said during an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

The no-confidence dispute derives its basis from Masengeli's inability to comply with the court decision that ought to have compelled him to resign, Ochieng argued.

The actual nature of the court judgement and the legal question which came before the court is not clear, but sources close to the matter have shown in a high-profile case touching on police reforms.

The standoff has been fraught with growing political tension, with some lawmakers and civil rights groups accusing him of undermining the rule of law.

Masengeli, who took over as acting Inspector General early in 2024, has not commented publicly on the allegations. 

His tenure has been marred by difficulties in overseeing police, with critics pointing at the increase in police brutality cases and failures to address public safety concerns.

In the recent past, Kenya has been witnessing growing demands for police reform, especially on accountability and observance of human rights standards.

Civil Society oganisations have complained that the rate of reform has not been satisfactory due to lack of transparency and respect for judicial pronouncements.

Human rights activist groups now have begun to call for his resignation on the basis of dire need for accountability within the police force.

Failure to table the motion means it is likely to escalate into heated debate in Parliament and may affect the future of police reform in Kenya.

The Kenyan Constitution gives powers to Parliament to start impeachment proceedings against public officers for breaches of the law.

Should Ochieng make good on his threat, it may be a way of setting a precedent for similar actions against other top-ranking officials in the future.