Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has approached the court seeking conservatory orders to enable his participation in the upcoming United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) graduation ceremony. The ceremony is set to take place on September 26, 2026, and Masengeli, through his legal representatives Cecil Miller and Danstan Omari, has emphasized the urgency of the matter before Justice Patricia Nyaundi. The legal team argued that the issuance of interim orders is crucial to protect Masengeli's rights and ensure his inclusion in the graduation ceremony.
Miller, representing Masengeli, highlighted the significance of the upcoming graduation, noting that USIU-Africa conducts only one such ceremony annually. This fact underscores the importance of the event for Masengeli, who wishes to be part of the cohort graduating this year. Miller urged the court to either issue interim orders or establish a timeline that would allow for the resolution of the case before the scheduled graduation date. The urgency of the application is further compounded by the limited opportunity for Masengeli to participate in future ceremonies should he miss this one.
However, USIU-Africa has opposed the application, presenting their case through lawyer Chege Njoroge. The university contends that halting the graduation would have widespread implications, affecting all students slated to graduate, not just Masengeli. Njoroge argued that Masengeli has not fulfilled the necessary academic requirements to be included on the graduation list, a critical factor in the university's opposition to his application. "I must mention to the court that for the graduation scheduled in two weeks, the petitioner has not attained the academic requirements of being put on the graduation list," Njoroge stated, reinforcing the university's stance.
The university has acted swiftly, filing its response within two days of the application, and has urged the court not to disrupt the graduation process. The court is now set to hear oral submissions regarding the application for interim orders and will provide directions on the timelines for hearing the main case. The outcome of this legal battle will determine whether Masengeli can join his peers in the upcoming graduation ceremony, a decision that holds significant personal and professional implications for the Deputy Inspector General of Police.
