Ruto intervenes in Judiciary-Police tension, advocates for unified approach

President William Ruto has weighed on the ongoing supremacy war between the Judiciary and the National Police Service (NPS) calling for a collaborating approach in tackling issues affecting the country.

The Head of State’s statement on Wednesday came amid the Judiciary and NPS’s public spat over the sentencing of acting Police Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli.

Ruto told the parties to seek an approach which would promote cohesion between the two independent institutions as they serve Kenyans.

“The National Police Service is an independent institution, and so is the Judiciary; but ultimately we have one master: the people of Kenya. I ask for more collaboration and working together,” he said.

“The independence we enjoy must look at how together interdependently, we can work together for the good of Kenyans.”

Ruto reiterated the need to uphold and respect the rule of law as part of promoting democracy, remarks which appeared to be directed towards the convicted acting IG Masengeli.

“Let us not focus on what is good on one sector but what is good for the greater good of Kenyans. We must defend our democracy and the rule of law while also ensuring we work for the common good of Kenyans,” said the President.

He was speaking during the launch of the framework on implementing police reforms at Kenya School of Government in Kabete, Nairobi.

The High Court last Friday sentenced Masengeli to six months in prison after being found guilty of contempt of court.

High Court judge Lawrence Mugambi ordered Masengeli to present himself to the commissioner general of prisons.

"In event he doesn't submit himself CS Interior must take all steps to ensure he is committed to prison to serve sentence," said Justice Mugambi. 

However, the judge noted that Masengeli may avoid serving the sentence if he appears in court within seven days, failure to do so, the sentence will be effective. 

Masengeli was found guilty of contempt after skipping 7 court summons to report on the whereabouts of Bob Njagi, Jamil Longton and his brother Aslam Longton, who went missing on August 19, 2024. 

The three are reported to have been abducted by police amid the Gen Z-led anti-government protests. 

Since the ruling, Justice Mugambi’s security detail has been withdrawn, with IG Masengeli saying he reassigned the two officers "for purposes of attending VIP security courses".