Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has expressed his willingness to comply with a court directive by appearing before a judge, just a day before his six-month jail sentence is scheduled to take effect. This change of stance follows Masengeli’s initial resistance to a court order issued by Justice Lawrence Mugambi, which resulted in the issuance of the jail sentence.
Through his legal team, composed of Advocates Cecil Miller and Steve Ogolla, Masengeli informed the court that he is now prepared to appear before Justice Mugambi between noon and 2 pm today. His legal counsel made the request during a session before High Court Judge Chacha Mwita, who is currently overseeing the matter due to the unavailability of Justice Mugambi. The file had been placed before Judge Mwita because Mugambi is part of a three-judge bench handling another case, delaying the progression of Masengeli’s situation.
Masengeli’s legal team argued that their client is committed to complying with the court’s orders and is seeking to make amends before the sentence takes effect tomorrow. Advocate Cecil Miller, speaking on behalf of Masengeli, pleaded with the court to allow their client to appear before Judge Mugambi today in order to avoid the consequences of the looming jail term.
“We are praying that you give directions so that we appear before Justice Mugambi today,” Miller told the court, emphasizing the urgency of the matter. The plea was driven by the fact that if Masengeli fails to appear before the court today, the six-month jail sentence will be enforced starting tomorrow. This comes after his previous failure to appear before the court as ordered, leading to the sentence being issued against him.
However, Judge Chacha Mwita, who is temporarily handling the case, declined to make an immediate ruling on the matter. Instead, he directed that the file be placed before Justice Mugambi tomorrow for further directions. Judge Mwita clarified that because Justice Mugambi is engaged in a bench matter with two other judges, he is currently unavailable to personally address the situation. As a result, the decision regarding Masengeli’s appearance will now rest with Justice Mugambi when he resumes handling the case.
Masengeli’s sudden change of tune comes amid mounting legal pressure. Initially, the acting Inspector General of Police had resisted the court’s orders, prompting Justice Mugambi to impose the six-month jail sentence. The court’s directive was part of a broader case involving Masengeli’s actions as the acting IG, though specific details of the case remain unclear in the public domain. His legal team’s move to now present him before the court suggests an attempt to avoid the jail term through compliance, which could potentially lead to a reduction or suspension of the sentence.
This development highlights the delicate balance between the judiciary and law enforcement in Kenya. Masengeli’s case has garnered significant public attention due to his high-profile position as the acting head of the national police service. His legal struggles come at a time when the judiciary in Kenya has been assertively reinforcing its authority, particularly in cases involving public officials who fail to comply with court orders.
The outcome of this case will not only impact Masengeli’s immediate future but could also set a precedent for how public officials are treated when they fail to adhere to legal directives. As the clock ticks down to the enforcement of the jail sentence, all eyes will be on the court’s proceedings tomorrow, where Justice Mugambi is expected to issue further directions on the matter.
For now, the acting IG remains on edge, as his legal team scrambles to prevent the six-month jail term from being enforced. Whether Masengeli’s newfound willingness to appear in court will be enough to avoid imprisonment remains to be seen in the coming hours.
