DPP Noordin Haji Calls For Suspension of All Charged Public Servants

Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji has called for the suspension of public servants who have been charged in a court of law.

Speaking to Citizen TV on Tuesday night, Haji argued the courts need to evoke Chapter six of the Constitution which requires such individuals to step aside until their issues are adjudicated upon.

"When we have individuals who have been charged and who happen to be ambassadors in foreign countries asking for bail so they can present their credentials in a foreign country, what message are we sending?” he posed.

He also stated that some individuals use the powers of their offices to evade justice.

“My frustration is once I charge individuals from certain offices, I cannot get them to face the law as equally as any other Kenyan would because they use the powers of their offices to protect themselves,” he complained.

Haji also revealed that his office receives conservatory orders stopping investigations into individuals holding important offices.

The DPP also wants salaries of principal secretaries and ambassadors named in graft cases completely cut off.

"We have seen PSs, ambassadors step aside after being charged. Their allowances have been chopped off and they are getting half their salary. I will ask Parliament to review the law so that such individuals lose their salaries altogether,” the DPP continued.

He further criticised the Judiciary for failing to set tough bail conditions for individuals facing serious offences.

"We must have standards that will be applied across the board. Sometimes, in my opinion, bail terms are wanting and they defeat the purpose of the whole exercise," he concluded.