Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has been sentenced to six months in prison today after being found guilty of contempt of court. The ruling, delivered by Justice Lawrence Mugambi, requires Masengeli to surrender himself to the Commissioner General of Prisons within the next seven days to begin serving his sentence.
Justice Mugambi made it clear that failure to comply with the order would prompt action from the Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki. “If Mr. Gilbert Masengeli fails to surrender himself to the Commissioner of Prisons, the Interior Cabinet Secretary must take steps to ensure he is committed to prison to serve his sentence,” Justice Mugambi stated.
The case against Masengeli stems from his failure to comply with a court order that mandated the reinstatement of a police officer who had been wrongfully dismissed. Despite being served with the court’s directive, the Acting Inspector General reportedly failed to act, leading to his contempt of court conviction.
During the court session, Justice Mugambi emphasised the importance of upholding the rule of law, stating, “No one is above the law, not even those who enforce it. The actions of Mr. Masengeli undermine the justice system and must be met with consequences to maintain public confidence in our judicial processes.”
Masengeli, who was appointed as Acting Inspector General following the retirement of his predecessor, has faced criticism over his handling of various issues within the police force. This latest incident is seen as a significant blow to his leadership and may impact his chances of securing a permanent appointment to the position.
The ruling has sparked discussions on social media, with many Kenyans expressing their views on the case. Some have lauded the court’s decision as a necessary step to uphold justice, while others have raised concerns about the potential impact on the police force’s morale and public perception.
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Masengeli is expected to make a statement in response to the court’s ruling soon. Meanwhile, legal experts suggest that he may appeal the decision in an effort to avoid imprisonment.
The court’s directive underscores a broader message that all public officials, regardless of rank or status, must respect the rule of law and comply with judicial orders.