Masengeli handed six months in prison for contempt

Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli. [File, Standard]

The High Court has sentenced Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli to six months in prison after he was found guilty of contempt.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi has ordered Masengeli to present himself to the Commissioner General of Prisons.

"Masengeli is to surrender himself to the Commissioner General of Prisons to ensure he is committed to a prison facility to commence the sentence imposed," Mugambi ordered.

However, the court could waive the sentence if Masengeli presents himself before it within the next 7 days.

"... the court shall suspend this sentence for seven days only. The Acting Inspector General can redeem himself by availing himself before this court in person to answer the issues he has been avoiding," ruled Mugambi.

"If he doesn't submit himself, Interior Cabinet Secretary must take all steps to ensure he is committed to prison to serve a sentence."

The matter will be mentioned before the presiding Judge Chacha Mwita on Thursday next week.

Earlier, the Acting Police IG requested the court to overturn his sentencing, over his failure to honor summons in the disappearance of three men in Kitengela, Kajiado County.

Masengeli contended that his absence from court on September 5 and September 9, was necessitated by critical security operations in various regions, including responses to militia attacks and other urgent threats.

Additional reporting by Nancy Gitonga.