Acting IG Masengeli Asks Kenyans To Respect Rule Of Law After Ignoring Court Orders 6 Times

• Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has urged kenyans to respect human rights since Kenya is a democratic country
• Masengeli urged Kenyans to know the difference between abduction and normal arrests and the processes involved
• His statement comes days after he was charged with contempt of court for ignoring six court summons over the whereabouts of three abducted Kitengela men

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has called for respect for the law despite being found guilty of defying court summons.

Masengeli emphasised the importance of upholding human rights and freedom of expression in Kenya's democratic society. He also urged Kenyans to distinguish between abductions and routine arrests made by police officers.

"Human rights have to be respected and there is a rule of law. We are in a democratic country. I want us also to differentiate abductions from normal arrests. When you are arrested by a police officer, you are first taken to a police cell. Following this, an investigation is conducted. If sufficient evidence is found, you are then brought before a court of law, and if convicted, you may be sentenced to prison," Masengeli explained.

However, Masengeli declined to comment on the contempt of court charges he faces for failing to attend six court summons.

"We cannot discuss matters before the court," he stated.

Why was Masengeli charged with contempt of court?

He was directed to appear before High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi to answer questions about the abduction of three men from Kitengela.

The men—Bob Micheni, Jamil Longton, and Aslam Longton—were reportedly forcibly taken into a private Subaru car by armed and masked individuals on August 19 following their involvement in the now-withdrawn Finance Bill 2024 protests.

Their families have been actively searching for them, including on social media, but their whereabouts remain unknown. This situation prompted a petition from the Law Society of Kenya and Amnesty International.

The court had also ordered security agents to reveal the location of the three men, but this directive was not complied with.

Kenyans call for arrest of Gilbert Masengeli

Meanwhile, some Kenyans expressed anger when Masengeli continued with his duties in Wajir and Mandera despite being summoned to court.

Critics argued that he should refrain from public appearances and issuing orders given the charges against him.

Masengeli, however, defended his actions by stating that he was occupied with security assessments and, therefore, sent his deputy, Eliud Lagat, to represent him in court.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

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