Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Director Mohamed Amin are at risk of imprisonment if they fail to attend the next court session, following their absence from court on January 8.
The two officials were expected to respond to questions about the abduction of seven individuals, a case brought forward by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and others.
During the hearing, Justice Bahati Mwamuye issued a stern warning to Kanja and Amin, stating that they would face jail time if they missed the upcoming hearing scheduled for January 27.
“If the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, fails to appear for the third hearing, I will have no choice but to find him in contempt and impose immediate sentencing,” the judge ruled.
In a highly unusual move, Justice Mwamuye also stated that if Amin failed to appear, he would be convicted on the spot.
However, the DCI director would be given an opportunity for a mitigation hearing before the sentencing.
The judge explained that the decision to extend the grace period to the two officials was made in an effort to locate the one remaining abduction victim who is still missing.
Kanja and Amin had been ordered by Justice Diana Kavedza last month to produce six individuals who were abducted in December 2024.
They were supposed to present the victims in court by December 31, 2024, but failed to do so.
Consequently, Justice Mwamuye directed both officials to attend court on January 8 to explain why they should not be held in contempt for disregarding the previous orders.
Kanja’s legal counsel requested an additional 14 days to provide the court with answers, explaining that the police chief had been tied up with national security duties.
Earlier in the day, Justice Mwamuye had instructed Kanja to appear before the court and clarify how the abductions took place without police intervention.
In addition, the court instructed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to provide information about the vehicles that were allegedly involved in the abductions.
NTSA Director-General George Njao was ordered to submit this information before the next hearing.
Justice Mwamuye emphasized that state officers have a constitutional duty to comply with the law, adding that the court would take swift action if Kanja, Amin, or any other parties involved failed to comply with future orders.
“If these individuals are found, there is nothing preventing the respondents from presenting them to this High Court or any other High Court,” the judge concluded.
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