Gilbert Masengeli Fires Back At Judiciary In Hard-Hitting Letter: "No Person May Direct IG"

• Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli accused the Judiciary of attempting to interfere with his work
• Masengeli insisted that he is the only one constitutionally mandated with the assigning, transfer, and dismissal of officers
• His statement was in response to the protest by the JSC regarding the withdrawal of security attached to Justice Lawrence Mugambi

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi—Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has condemned the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) over the security of judicial officers.

Is Gilbert Masengeli feeling intimidated?

In a hard-hitting statement on Tuesday, September 17, Masengeli accused the Judiciary of trying to interfere with his constitutional role of deploying and reassigning security officers.

He insisted that the National Police Service remains independent and that it would not give into any form of intimidation or coercion to influence its operations.

“In view of the foregoing, the NPS wishes to rebut the allegations raised by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) relating to the assignment of personal security to judges and to assure the country that the security of all Kenyans, judges included, remains our utmost priority. The NPS totally rejects attempts to intimidate, coerce, or otherwise interfere with the operational and functional independence of the police,” Masengeli said.

Masengeli insisted that no external authority can direct or interfere with the employment, assignment, promotion, suspension, or dismissal of police officers.

"Article 245(4)(c) of the Constitution provides for the independent command of the NPS vested in the Inspector General of Police (IG) and no person may direct the IG with respect to the ‘employment, assignment, promotion, suspension or dismissal of any police officer," he stated said.

Masengeli has been under the spotlight following the withdrawal of Judge Lawrence Mugambi's bodyguard and driver.

Mugambi sentenced Masengeli to six months in jail after he found him guilty of contempt of court.

Why MP wants Gilbert Masengeli ousted

Meanwhile, Ugenya Member of Parliament David Ochieng' threatened to introduce a motion for the ouster of Masengeli if he did not resign.

Ochieng' stated that Masengeli is unfit to lead the National Police Service and protect the country following his recent conviction.

In an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, September 17, Ochieng' argued that Masengeli’s repeated disregard for court summons—six in total—demonstrates blatant disobedience of the rule of law and makes him unfit for office.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

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Collage of Gilbert Masengeli (l) and Martha Koome (r)

Acting IG Gilbert Masengeli Found Guilty Of Contempt Of Court

Acting IG Gilbert Masengeli Found Guilty Of Contemp Of Court