Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Administration Police, Gilbert Masengeli tendered an apology to the High Court a week after he was sentenced to six months in prison for contempt of court.
Masengeli who was acting Inspector General of police had been summoned to explain the disappearance of three men in Kitengela.
He snubbed seven summons prompting Justice Lawrence Mugambi take action.
Today, the embattled Masengeli appeared in court in full uniform but humbled.
This morning the three men were found alive in Kiambu.
In an affidavit filed on September 20, 2024, Masengeli admitted to missing court hearings citing operational challenges, including his involvement in security operations in Northern Kenya as well as the Coast region, as the primary reasons for his absence.
He however acknowledged the court’s authority and pledged to cooperate moving forward, including presenting a detailed progress report on the case in the coming days.
“I humbly apologize to this Honourable Court for breaking orders and undertake to comply in the future. The non-attendance in court, however, was not intentional but rather due to operational challenges…” he stated in the affidavit.
The case, which has attracted significant public attention, was initiated after the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) filed a petition on behalf of activist Bob Njagi and siblings Jamil Longton and Aslam Longton, who were allegedly kidnapped by people suspected to be police officers in Kitengela on August 19, 2024.
The LSK secured interim habeas corpus orders on August 23, directing Masengeli to produce the three missing individuals. However, Masengeli failed to comply, leading to his conviction for contempt of court on September 9, 2024.
Masengeli had maintained that investigations were underway to locate the three persons and provided reports on efforts to trace their whereabouts.
He also outlined his non-deliberate absence from court due to critical security operations in Lamu and Marsabit, which he said demanded his presence.
The court, which had expressed concerns over Masengeli’s failure to appear in person despite virtual court options being available, is on Friday expected to review the situation following the Deputy IG’s submission.
