Convict Gilbert Masengeli Survives 6-Month Jail Sentence As Judge Allows Him To Redeem Himself

• On Friday, September 20, Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli appeared before Justice Lawrence Mugambi
• The Law Society of Kenya objected to Masengeli being admitted to the bar to explain himself, arguing that the case was before the Court of Appeal
• However, Justice Mugambi ruled that it would be unfair to deny Masengeli a chance to redeem himself, given that the earlier ruling gave him a chance to appear within seven days

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has saved himself from serving a jail sentence.

Why Gilbert Masengeli appeared in court

On Friday, September 20, Masengeli appeared before Justice Lawrence Mugambi in a bid to purge his six-month jail sentence over the disappearance of three Kenyans.

Justice Mugambi set aside the 6-month jail sentence against the former acting IG after an in-person appearance.

Despite objection by the lawyers representing the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Justice Mugambi gave Masengeli a chance to redeem himself.

In his ruling, Mugambi argued that it was only fair to grant Masengeli a chance to explain himself, given the court had ordered him to do so within seven days.

"Gilbert Masengeli can avoid the sentence if he complies with the direction to obey the court summons. I therefore suspend the sentence for 7 days only. He can redeem himself by availing himself before the court in person.

"I will be going against my orders if I deny him audience as urged by LSK. This is a court of justice and must act fairly to those who appear before it. Gilbert Masengeli is entitled to be heard by virtue of this order. I will allow him to take to the stand and redeem himself. You must be in the dock," Justice Mugambi stated.

Why did the court earlier reject Masengeli's application?

Masengeli's troubles deepened on Thursday, September 19, after the High Court rejected his desperate attempt to apologise and delay his sentence.

In a hearing, Masengeli, through his lawyers Steve Ogolla and Cecil Miller, sought to appear before Justice Mugambi to offer an apology.

However, the court firmly dismissed the request, which was viewed as a bid to stave off his impending six-month jail term.

Masengeli had requested to be allowed to appear before the High Court judge and present his apology between 12pm and 3pm.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke