Justice Mugambi’s Security Withdrawn Days After Sentencing Acting IG Masengeli To Prison
The security detail assigned to High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi has been withdrawn with immediate effect.
This comes just three days after a judge sentenced Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli to six months in prison for contempt of court.
Mugambi was assigned security after raising concerns about being surveilled by police officers regarding the acting IG’s multiple summonses.
According to the judge, senior police officers had made several inquiries about Mugambi’s whereabouts, including contacting his driver and bodyguard.
High Court Judge Hon. Justice Lawrence Mugambi's security reportedly withdrawn after sentencing Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli to six months in prison for defying seven court orders. pic.twitter.com/x56cDDTAvN
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) September 16, 2024
Lazarus Opicho, the commandant of Security of Government Buildings, was at the center of the controversy because he called the driver and bodyguard.
However, appearing in court on Friday under Judge Mugambi’s summons, Opicho stated that the calls were made out of genuine concern for the judge’s safety, particularly following the shooting of a magistrate at Makadara Law Courts.
He then apologised to the judge saying, “After the Makadara Law Court shooting incident, I found it prudent to personally call the police assigned to the judge for a briefing.”
When asked why he contacted his aides rather than him directly, Opicho apologized and promised to be more direct the next time.
“I endeavour to serve you diligently and all the judicial officers and this will not happen again,” Opicho stated.
Noting that the Acting IG was holding the judge hostage, Judge Mugambi sentenced him to 6 months in prison for missing court summons seven times.
JSC Statement on the intimidation and withdrawal of the security detail of Hon. Justice Lawrence Mugambi, Judge of the High Court of Kenya. pic.twitter.com/fV35H6bj0v
— Judicial Service Commission Kenya (JSC) (@jsckenya) September 16, 2024
Despite his conviction, Masengeli has yet to begin serving his sentence, despite being given seven days to present himself.
Masengeli had been summoned to court to answer for the kidnapping and disappearance of activist Bob Njagi and his siblings Jamil and Aslam Longton.
The trio was apprehended by suspected police officers and never seen again about a month ago.
Justice Mugambi’s Security Withdrawn Days After Sentencing Acting IG Masengeli To Prison
