Gilbert Masengeli Appeals Against His 6-Month Prison Sentence: "The Judge Erred In Law"

• Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has contested his six-month jail sentence
• Masengeli wants the Court of Appeal to set aside the sentence, arguing that Justice Lawrence Masengeli erred in law
• Masengeli claimed Justice Mugambi unfairly targeted him and that the court overstepped its bounds by sentencing him unheard

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 Police Gilbert Masengeli has filed an appeal seeking to overturn his recent six-month jail sentence by the High Court.

In his petition filed at the appellate court, the embattled police boss argued that Justice Lawrence Mugambi convicted him without considering the application he filed before the court.

Why Gilbert Masengeli wants Court of Appeal to save him

Masengeli has claimed Mugambi unfairly targeted him and that the court overstepped its bounds by sentencing him unheard.

According to the acting IG, Justice Mugambi also made a mistake in sentencing him for contempt of court, yet he sent representatives to his chambers.

"That the learned Judge erred in law by holding that the Appellant cannot be represented by his recognised agent or advocates to render an explanation as to why the ex parte orders of habeas corpus had not been complied with.

"That by finding the acting Inspector General of Police in contempt of court in the absence of any formal application for contempt, the learned Judge erred in law by making adverse findings on unpleaded issues," read part of his appeal

Why Bumula MP thinks Masengeli is being targeted unfairly

Elsewhere, Bumula MP Jack Wanami Wamboka expressed disapproval after the Acting Inspector General of Police was sentenced to six months in jail.

The lawmaker alluded to Masengeli's troubles in court as being politically motivated.

In a fiery speech during a meeting in Bumula on Friday, September 13, Wamboka claimed Masengeli was being held accountable for actions that occurred before his tenure.

The legislator stated that former inspector general Japhet Koome was in charge when a series of extrajudicial killings and abductions took place.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.