Acting Inspector General Sentenced to Six Months for Contempt, Given Seven Days to Comply
Acting Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli was handed a six-month prison sentence on Friday after being convicted of contempt of court.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi instructed Masengeli to turn himself into the Commissioner General of Prisons within seven days to serve his sentence.
Additionally, the judge ruled that if Masengeli fails to comply, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki must take action to ensure the sentence is enforced.
“Gilbert Masengeli is sentenced to six months in prison and is ordered to surrender to the Commissioner of Kenya Prisons to begin serving his sentence,” Justice Mugambi ruled.
The court, however, emphasized that the sentence is meant to be coercive, rather than punitive, and Masengeli can avoid serving if he complies within the seven days.
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Masengeli was found guilty of contempt of court on Tuesday, September 3, after failing to respond to six consecutive summonses.
The summons required him to explain the disappearance of Jamil Longton, Aslam Longton, and activist Bob Njagi, who was abducted in Kitengela the previous month.
In an earlier ruling, Justice Mugambi condemned Masengeli’s actions, describing them as intolerable and bordering on intimidation.
“Defying court orders undermines the rule of law. Those who disregard legal directives must face consequences, and failure to appear in court is a clear act of contempt,” the judge stated.
The latest ruling followed a request by Masengeli to delay his sentencing, citing urgent national security matters.
Masengeli argued that his immediate involvement in ongoing security operations was critical, justifying his absence from court.
Acting Inspector General Sentenced to Six Months for Contempt, Given Seven Days to Comply
