Pressure continued to build on Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli yesterday, with calls for his dismissal from prominent political figures. Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua both criticized Masengeli, deeming him unfit for public office.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has also launched an investigation into the withdrawal of Justice Mugambi’s security detail, following a petition filed by the Judges Welfare Association. IPOA Chief Executive Elema Halake stated, “In view of the foregoing, IPOA, on its own motion, has instituted investigations into the alleged withdrawal.”
The Judges Welfare Association has also filed a separate complaint against a police inspector identified only as Riri, who is attached to the Judiciary Police Unit and stationed at the Supreme Court. This complaint alleges that Inspector Riri directed Justice Lawrence Mugambi’s official driver and bodyguard to surrender their firearms and report back to GSU headquarters. The association’s President, Justice Patrick Otino, is also demanding a public apology from Masengeli.
Kalonzo Musyoka, speaking to journalists in Nairobi, condemned Masengeli’s conduct as “primitive and backward” and urged President William Ruto to dismiss him immediately, even before the appointment of a substantive IG. He criticized Masengeli for not obeying court summons and for withdrawing Justice Mugambi’s security detail. “It’s a direct attack, and actually a primitive one if I may call it so. It’s unexplainable, and that man should not qualify to hold any office,” Kalonzo said, arguing that Masengeli’s actions contradict the law.
Martha Karua also weighed in, calling on the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) to take disciplinary action against Masengeli for disobeying court orders. She questioned the commission’s silence and urged them to act. “We are asking NPSC to wake up from their slumberland, and if they are afraid of the President Ruto regime, they should pack and go home instead of receiving money for work they are not doing,” Karua said.
