Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has been sentenced to six months in prison for contempt of court.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Lawrence Mugambi after Masengeli failed to attend court summons seven times consecutively. The court ordered that he submit himself to the Commissioner General of Prisons to begin serving his sentence.

However, the judge suspended the sentence for seven days, giving Masengeli a chance to comply with the court order and avoid imprisonment. If he appears in court within this period, the sentence may be reconsidered; otherwise, it will take effect automatically.

The contempt charges are related to Masengeli’s failure to explain the whereabouts of three individuals—Jamil Longton, Aslam Longton, and activist Bob Njagi—who were allegedly abducted during anti-government protests on August 19, 2024. Despite repeated summons, Masengeli did not appear in court and was represented by his deputies instead, prompting the judge to issue the sentence.