Wednesday, September 4, 2024 –The Law Society of Kenya LSK is seeking an arrest warrant for Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli.
This is after the new IG failed to, personally, appear in court to disclose the whereabouts of three individuals who went missing in Kitengela area, 15 days ago.
It is remembered that on August 19, activist Bob Njagi and brothers Jamil and Aslay Longton, disappeared without a trace, before reports indicated they were forcibly taken away by unknown assailants, who are presumed to be government operatives, following the recent anti-government demonstrations.
Shortly, the Law Society of Kenya LSK, subsequently, filed a lawsuit against the IG over the abduction that caused panic across the country.
And on August 26, the court ordered for the unconditional release of the abducted persons and ordered the police boss to avail himself and explain why the initial orders regarding the missing individuals were disregarded.
Despite the summons, Masengeli did not appear in court on Tuesday. Instead, he was represented by a lawyer who informed the court that the IG was unable to attend due to other engagements.
He added that a file had been opened at Kitengela Police Station regarding the missing persons.
LSK President Faith Odhiambo, however, objected the claims, arguing that IG Masengeli is in contempt for failing to appear for the case’s mentioning exercise.
“They are showing no intention of honouring the court orders. The purported official duties (Masengeli is on) are not important than human lives,” she said.
The LSK’s legal representatives also maintained that no evidence was presented in court to corroborate Masengeli’s reason for missing the sessions. They subsequently requested that an arrest warrant be issued against the IG.
Prior to the hearing, Odhiambo had demanded that the Acting IG produce activist Njagi and the Longton brothers.
In a heavily worded statement issued on August 30, President Odhiambo condemned the incidents and tasked the IG with conducting thorough investigations into the disappearances.
“The LSK demands the immediate production of Mr Bob Micheni Njagi, Mr Jamil Longton, and Mr Aslam Longton by the Inspector General of Police; thorough investigations on the ongoing abductions; and immediate action to deter any further abductions as we shall not sit back and allow the country to fall back to the dark days politically sanctioned killings and disappearances,” she stated then.