Inspector General (IG) Masengeli has been sentenced to six months in jail by Judge Lawrence Mugambi after failing to appear in court to explain the disappearance of three activists allegedly detained by the police four weeks ago. Despite a court order to provide their whereabouts, Masengeli did not comply, prompting the controversial ruling that has stirred national debate.
Bumula MP, Wamboka, strongly criticized the judgment, likening it to the case of former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza 12 years ago. He argued that holding Masengeli accountable for actions beyond his control was unfair, stating, “This verdict imposes a collective burden on IG Masengeli for issues that are beyond his direct control.”
Adding to the dissent, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi claimed that the ruling is politically motivated. Amisi suggested that the IG is caught in a power struggle between President William Ruto and his Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, and should not bear the consequences of actions taken under former IG Japhet Koome.
Amisi was backed by Lurambi MP Bishop Titus Khamala, who echoed calls for Koome to take responsibility for abuses during his tenure. “Masengeli cannot be a sacrificial lamb for the mistakes of the past police regime. Koome must carry his cross alone,” Amisi stated.
The sentence has also drawn mixed reactions from human rights groups and legal experts. Supporters believe the ruling is crucial for accountability within the police force, while critics warn it may set a dangerous precedent for future cases involving senior officials. As the nation awaits the appeal process, which is expected to be swift due to intense public interest, the broader legal and political implications of this ruling remain in focus.
