- On Monday, September 9, acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli skipped the court and instead sent DIG Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat to represent him
- Justice Lawrence Mugambi found Masengeli guilty of disobeying court summons and is set to sentence him on Friday, September 13
- Masengeli had been summoned on six occasions to explain the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of three people in Kitengela
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Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - Acting Inspector General of the National Police Service Gilbert Masengeli has been found guilty of disobeying court orders.
In a ruling on Monday, September 9, High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi said impunity and open defiance will not be allowed, and those hell-bent won't find refuge.
When will Gilbert Masengeli be sentenced?
Mugambi ruled that Masengeli has continued to hold the court at ransom after he failed to honour six court summons.
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The judge argued that the court could no longer ascertain what could have happened to the petitioners because of the acting IG's action.
"“It is my finding that the Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli is guilty of contempt of court and the court ought to punish him accordingly. Impunity and open defiance will not be allowed," Justice Mugambi ruled.
The High Court judge summoned the SGB/VIP unit commandant, Lazarus Opicho, to explain why he called his bodyguard and driver to establish his whereabouts.
"Lazarus Opicho be and is hereby summoned for calling my driver and bodyguard trying to ascertain my whereabouts, we need to ascertain the reason for such inquiry,” the judge ordered.
The judge reserved both the sentencing and explanation by Opicho on Friday, September 13.
On Monday, September 9, Masengeli was required to appear in court to explain the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of three people in Kitengela.
However, the police boss sent DIG Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat to represent him saying he was in Wajir over security matters.
Why did activists disrupt court session over Masengeli
Earlier, drama ensued at a city court when activists disrupted the hearing of a case in which the IG had been summoned to appear in court to explain the whereabouts of three missing persons.
Charles Sakei and Julius Kamau were dragged out of court by guards, who had a hard time containing them.
Justice Mugambi issued a warning should the acting IG fail to comply with the summons and address questions regarding the whereabouts of the three abducted individuals.
Masengeli was required to attend the 3pm court session for questioning on Tuesday, September 3, but failed.
Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke
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