Justice Lawrence Mugambi has lifted the six-month jail sentence against Administration Police Deputy Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli after he appeared in court to explain himself.
In his ruling, Mugambi emphasized that fairness required allowing Masengeli an opportunity to defend himself, stating, “This is a court of justice and must act fairly to those who appear before it.
Gilbert Masengeli is entitled to be heard by virtue of this order.”
Masengeli appeared in court on Friday, accompanied by Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, to contest the jail term imposed on him for contempt of court.
His sentence, handed down on September 13, had been suspended for seven days to give him a chance to personally explain the disappearance of three political activists who were allegedly abducted in Kitengela.
On Friday, police confirmed that the missing individuals, Jamil Longton, his brother Aslam Longton, and activist Bob Njagi, had been found in Kiambu’s Gachie area.
The three men were reportedly dumped by the roadside. Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), confirmed the news, saying,
“I am informed that Jamil Longton and his brother Aslam were dumped at the Gachie border of Kiambu and Nairobi by their captors.
Every prayer and intervention made a difference.
We thank God that they are safe!”
The three men had been missing since August 19, amid a crackdown on anti-government protests.
Witnesses had reported seeing men believed to be state agents abduct the two brothers near their home in Kitengela, while Njagi was arrested in a matatu under suspicion of being a gunman. Footage of Njagi’s capture sparked public interest in the case.
On Thursday, newly appointed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja denied police involvement in the disappearance and promised a thorough investigation into the matter.
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