President William Ruto has weighed in on the ongoing tiff between the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the National Police Service (NPS), calling for a harmonious relationship in delivering their mandate to the people of Kenya.

This follows the recent conviction of acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli and the subsequent withdrawal of the presiding judge, Justice Lawrence Mugambi's security detail by NPS.

Speaking during the launch of the framework on implementing police reforms at Kenya School of Government in Kabete, Nairobi on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, President Ruto urged the two organs to find common ground that will enable them to better tackle critical issues of national development.

“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.”

The Head of State reiterated a need for both organs to respect and uphold the rule of law.

“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.

On Friday, September 13, Justice Mugambi sentenced IG Masengeli to 6 months in prison for contempt of court.

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

The trio were allegedly abducted by police officers at Kitengela at the height of the anti-government protests.

Masengeli has since moved to the Court of Appeal challenging the verdict. He claims that Justice Mugambi erred in his judgement, submitting that he had filed a report with the court before the sentencing.

He also claimed that during the trials, he had sent representatives to court on his behalf.