Those Dragging The Name Of President Ruto Into Masengeli’s ‘Failure’ To Obey A Court Order Should Prove Their Claims
The Mt Kenya Times 
President William Ruto
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- Though the IG used to send top legal officers in National Police Service (NPS) and at one time the Deputy IG to represent him, the judge would not allow them to give the reasons why IG had failed to show up in person.
- The judge averred I have previously told you that I will never entertain explanation that the acting IG is busy in the field doing his job of security assessment and coordinating security operations.
- My instructions remain very clear. He must present himself to this court in person.
- As Inspector General of Police, he also has a duty to shed light on this matter before this court touching on the abduction of two brothers and their friend.
The story of the acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli’s alleged failure to obey court order is currently dominating the headlines of the mainstream media.
The opinion of the leaders and members of the public was divided on whether Masengeli’s actions amount to contempt of court.
It is worth noting the acting IG landed in trouble after he failed to appear in court six times.
Though the IG used to send top legal officers in National Police Service (NPS) and at one time the Deputy IG to represent him, the judge would not allow them to give the reasons why IG had failed to show up in person.
The judge averred I have previously told you that I will never entertain explanation that the acting IG is busy in the field doing his job of security assessment and coordinating security operations.
My instructions remain very clear. He must present himself to this court in person.
As Inspector General of Police, he also has a duty to shed light on this matter before this court touching on the abduction of two brothers and their friend.
Media reports indicated the incident took place in Kitengela and the three activists were allegedly abducted my people believed to be police officers. The police have since denied these reports.
Well, this matter escalated a few days ago when Judge Lawrence Mugambi went ahead and sentenced Masengeli to six month imprisonment.
He however gave the acting IG seven days to present himself in his court. If he do this, he will redeem and save himself. If fails to appear, he will have to present to commissioner of National Prison Service (NPS) to be allocated the prison. The sentence will commence immediately.
The IG have since filed an appeal.
Meanwhile, the matter took a new turn when the judge reported that his security detail-a body guard and police driver-had been withdrawn.
This caused uproar within file and rank of the judiciary.
But in a swift rejoinder, the acting IG while referring to the relevant provisions of the law stated that it is only the President, Deputy President and retired President who legally entitled to be given security.
He however assured the honorable judge that he had no reason to worry. We will ensure his security is beefed up.
The IG added: The judge’s bodyguard and driver had been recalled to give them a chance to go for training.
He seemed to suggest they had been replaced by other police officers who had already gone through this training.
I have been listening to the narratives of the critics of President William Ruto since this push and pull started.
They wanted Kenyans to believe that President William Ruto have a hand in Masengeli’s refusal to obey court order. How? Where is evidence?
The law governing Kenya police is very clear. The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) is in charge of recruitment, vetting and appointment of the police officers.
So, following the resignation of substantive IGP Japheth Koome, the commission forwarded the name of Masengeli to the President to appoint him as acting IG.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga Is A Writer And Social Commentator Based In Nairobi
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