Acting IG Masengeli found guilty of contempt of court

Several summons have been issued by the court but Masengeli has snubbed all of them.

In Summary
  • Justice Lawrence Mugambi said impunity and open defiance cannot be allowed and those hell-bent won't find refuge.
  • Masengeli was required to appear in court on Monday to explain the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of three people in Kitengela.
Acting Inspector General of Police (IG) Gilbert Masengeli.
Acting Inspector General of Police (IG) Gilbert Masengeli.
Image: KNA

The High Court has found Acting police IG Gilbert Masengeli guilty of disobeying court orders.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi said impunity and open defiance cannot be allowed and those hell-bent won't find refuge.

Masengeli was required to appear in court on Monday to explain the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of three people in Kitengela.

They went missing on August 19.

Several summons have been issued by the court but Masengeli has snubbed all of them.

On Monday, he sent DIG Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat to represent him saying he was in Wajir over security matters.

But Mugambi in his brief ruling said the IG has held the court at ransom and it is no longer able to ascertain what could have happened to the petitioners.

"Masengeli is guilty of contempt and the court ought to punish him accordingly," said the Judge.

The Judge at the same time summoned the commandant of the SGB/VIP unit Lazarus Opicho to explain why he called his bodyguard and his driver to establish his whereabouts.

"We need to know the reasons for such an inquiry," said the judge.

The judge reserved both the sentencing and explanation by Opicho Friday.

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