President William Ruto has subtly waded into the ongoing row pitting the National Police Service (NPS) led by Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli and the Judiciary.
Speaking on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, the Head of State challenged the two institutions to drop their differences and work towards serving the interests of Kenyans.
While challenging them to forge a united front, Ruto admitted that the two institutions are independent thus shying away from delving deeper into the issue pitting NPS boss Masengeli and the Judiciary.
“I am acutely aware that the National Police Service is an independent institution and so is the Judiciary but ultimately we have one master, the people of Kenya and we must make sure that we work together towards serving not interests but the collective interests of the people of Kenya.
“Therefore, I want to ask for more collaboration so that the independence we respect and enjoy must also look to work to achieve greater interests,” Ruto stated.
Rule of law
At the same time, directed officers serving in the National Police Service to respect the rule of law. The Head of State insisted that adhering to every provision of the constitution is paramount to the service.
“Our democracy is dependent on the rule of law and the rule of law is guaranteed by making sure that we have men and women who make sure that each and every one of us respect the rule of law,” Ruto stated.
Withdrawal of security
The push and pull between the Judiciary and the National Police Service started when Masengeli defied court summons to explain the whereabouts of three individuals who disappeared during protests.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi then exercised his power by sentencing Masengeli to serve six years in prison.
Following the ruling, two security officers assigned to Justice Lawrence Mugambi were recalled sparking an uproar from the Judiciary led by Chief Justice Martha Koome.
Responding to Koome’s statement regarding the withdrawal of the officers, Masengeli explained that the officers were needed for VIP security training.
“The officers seconded to institutions like the Judiciary remain serving officers of the National Police Service and can be reassigned at the discretion of the IG. These two officers, as general duty officers, were recalled for VIP security training,” Masengeli stated.
The acting Police IG added that measures had been put in place to ensure Justice Mugambi’s security was not compromised.
His statement followed concerns raised by Chief Justice Koome, who questioned the timing of the withdrawal, just days after Justice Mugambi sentenced Masengeli to six months in prison for contempt of court.
“A concerning action was taken by the National Police after the sentencing of the Acting IG. Justice Mugambi’s police guards were disarmed and withdrawn over the weekend,” Koome said.
