The High Court on Friday rejected Acting Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli's application to suspend his sentencing after he was found guilty of contempt of court.
Masengeli is said to have filed an application before the court seeking to suspend the sentencing on grounds that he was focusing on critical matters of national security.
The police boss claimed that the ongoing security operations were paramount and required his immediate attention, thus justifying his non-attendance.
Masengeli expressed remorse over his actions and reiterated his respect for the court’s authority.
He further called on the court to postpone his attendance scheduled for September 13, from 10 am to a later date due to his continued security responsibilities.
The police IG made the plea after he was convicted of contempt of court after snubbing seven consecutive summons.
He is expected to appear before Justice Lawrence Mugambi for sentencing on Friday noon with all eyes on the court’s decision.
Masengeli failed to obey seven court orders to appear before the judge to explain the whereabouts of two brothers, Jamil Longton and Aslam Longton, and activist Bob Njagi who were abducted in Kitengela by unknown people.
In his Tuesday, September 3 ruling, Justice Mugambi termed the police officers conduct unacceptable and bordering on outright intimidation.
“The willful disobedience of court orders is a direct affront to the rule of law. Those who defy court orders must be held accountable, and failure to appear in court amounts to direct contempt,” the judge pronounced.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) who have been at the forefront of pushing for Masengeli's conviction have faulted the court for delaying action against the defiant officer.
"Masengeli cannot continue hiding behind security operations while disregarding court orders," claimed former LSK president Nelson Havi.
