Acting Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli was found guilty of contempt of court and was given a six-month prison sentence by the High Court.
He is required to present himself to the Commissioner General of Prisons by order of Justice Lawrence Mugambi.
“In event he doesn’t submit himself CS Interior must take all steps to ensure he is committed to prison to serve sentence,” the judge stated.
However, Masengeli might be able to avoid serving the sentence if he shows up in court within the next seven days, according to Mugambi.
“Masengeli can redeem himself by availing himself before this court in person to answer to the issues which he has been avoiding failure to do so the sentence will become effect,” said the judge.
The Acting IG attempted at the last minute to halt his sentencing before it began.
Through Steve Ogolla and advocate Cecil Miller, Masengeli expressed regret for missing the court hearing.
Masengeli today reiterated his respect for the court, as well as his acknowledgement and defense of the authority and dignity of the court, following his denial of multiple summonses.
Miller convinced the judge to postpone today’s sentencing, claiming that his work commitments prevented him from attending
However, the judge turned it down, stating, “I wouldn’t want to be unfair to anyone as a court. I’ve made every effort to make him comfortable.I didn’t just give him fair chances. I even made time for him on the final day.”
The same court found him guilty of contempt on Monday.
Masengeli was ordered to appear in court on Monday in order to provide an explanation for the events leading up to the disappearance of three individuals in Kitengela.
On August 19, they went missing from sight.
The court has sent out multiple summonses, but Masengeli has ignored them all.
He claimed to be in Wajir on security-related matters when he sent DIG Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat to represent him on Monday.
However, Mugambi claimed in his succinct ruling that the IG has the court in a state of contempt and that it is no longer able to determine what might have happened to the petitioners.