Kenya's Police boss jailed for 6 months by a court in Nairobi

NAIROBI, Kenya

Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has been sentenced to six months imprisonment for contempt of court in Nairobi.

High court judge, Justice Lawrence Mugambi delivered the ruling on Friday after the police boss failed to honour court summons seven consecutive times.

Justice Mugambi directed that Masengeli avail himself to the Commissioner General of Prisons to ensure that he is committed to a prison facility to begin serving his sentence. Failure to submit himself to the commissioner general of prisons, the court directed that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior enforce the order.

The court however suspended the sentence for seven days to allow Masengeli to "redeem" himself by complying with the court order.

"The court finds it desirable to impose this sentence as a coercive order as opposed to a punitive order. In that regard, Mr Masengeli may avoid serving this sentence and, in that regard, the court shall suspend this sentence for seven days only. The Acting police IG may redeem himself and comply by availing himself before this court in person to answer to issues he has been avoiding. In default, the sentence shall automatically become effective," ruled the judge.

Masengeli had been summoned by the court to explain the whereabouts of Jamil Longton, his brother Aslam Longton, and activist Bob Njagi, who were allegedly abducted by individuals believed to be police officers on August 19, 2024, during the Gen Z-led anti-government protests.

The police IG however persistently and blatantly snubbed all the seven summons issued against him. Consequently, Justice Mugambi convicted him for contempt of court.