Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has been handed a six-month prison sentence for contempt of court after repeatedly failing to comply with court summons.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi issued the sentence on Friday, following Masengeli's failure to appear in court on seven separate occasions.
The court granted Masengeli a seven-day reprieve to comply with the summons. During this period, Masengeli can avoid serving the sentence by appearing in court as ordered.
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Justice Mugambi ordered Masengeli to present himself to the Commissioner General of Prisons to begin serving his sentence. Should he fail, the court directed the Cabinet Secretary for Interior to enforce the ruling.
"This sentence is intended to compel compliance rather than punish," stated Justice Mugambi. "If Masengeli complies within the seven-day window, he will not serve the sentence. Failure to do so will result in automatic enforcement of the prison term."
The summons in question relate to the alleged abduction of Jamil Longton, his brother Aslam Longton, and activist Bob Njagi on August 19, 2024.
The three were reportedly abducted by individuals suspected to be police officers during anti-government protests led by Gen Z.
Masengeli’s refusal to appear in court after seven summons led to his conviction for contempt of court.
