Masengeli Apologizes, Assures Court of Compliance After Contempt Charges
Embattled Deputy Inspector General of Administration Police, Gilbert Masengeli, has issued a formal apology to the High Court after being found guilty of contempt in a high-profile case involving the disappearance of three Kenyans.
Masengeli, who was serving as the Acting Inspector General during the time of the alleged kidnappings, had initially been sentenced to six months in prison. However, the court had suspended the sentence for seven days, granting him time to purge the contempt.
In an affidavit filed on September 20, 2024, Masengeli cited his involvement in critical security operations across Northern Kenya and the Coast region as the reason for missing court hearings. He admitted to operational challenges but affirmed his respect for the court’s authority, promising full compliance moving forward. Masengeli expressed deep regret for missing the court dates, emphasizing that his absence was not intentional.
“I humbly apologize to this Honourable Court for breaking orders and undertake to comply in the future. The non-attendance in court, however, was not intentional but rather due to operational challenges…” Masengeli stated in his affidavit.
The case, which has garnered significant public attention, was filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) on behalf of activist Bob Njagi and brothers Jamil and Aslam Longton, who were reportedly abducted in Kitengela on August 19, 2024, by individuals believed to be police officers. The LSK had secured habeas corpus orders on August 23, instructing Masengeli to produce the missing individuals, but he failed to comply, leading to his contempt of court conviction on September 9, 2024.
Masengeli has maintained that investigations into the disappearances are ongoing and provided progress reports to the court. He attributed his absence to his engagement in essential security operations in Lamu and Marsabit.
The court had previously raised concerns about Masengeli’s failure to attend the hearings, particularly since virtual attendance options were available. The Deputy IG’s latest submission will be reviewed by the court on Friday.
In a dramatic turn of events, activist Njagi and the Longton brothers were found alive on Friday morning in Kiambu County, just hours before Masengeli’s court appearance, which could have resulted in the upholding of his six-month jail sentence for contempt.
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Masengeli Apologizes, Assures Court of Compliance After Contempt Charges
