The Director of Public Prosecutions, Noordin Haji, on Friday, December 10, received the prestigious Jurist of the Year Award.
The award was presented to him by the European Union Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, recognising his role in the promotion to the rule of law and human rights.
Haji was named the 2021 Jurist of the Year by the Kenyan section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ).
The award recognises, acknowledges and encourages jurists who have consistently, fearlessly and impartially promoted the rule of law and human rights during the year.
Expressing his gratitude, the DPP called upon those involved in promotion of the rule of law to uphold their duties and execute their mandates with utmost zeal.
“To my colleagues in the justice sector through the National Council of the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), I wish to thank you for your unwavering support towards justice reform,” stated the DPP.
“The bestowment of this award to a prosecutor should encourage others to further the ideals of human rights, rule of law and democracy in their various assignments whether in the public or sector.”
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has notably undertaken The ODPP Café, a weekly show streamed live on Facebook and YouTube to educate and engage the public on the mandate of the ODPP, matters such as plea-bargaining, diversion, the decision to charge, ODPP policies, human rights, and juvenile justice among other issues.
In the year 2020, Jedidah Wakonyo Waruhiu won the award owing to her extensive experience and concern for the vulnerable and the marginalized manifested at the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights where she was a Commissioner.
According to the ICJ, she took the lead in advancing the rights of violent extremism victims and persons in penal institutions.
Other notable winners of the award include Chief Justice (Rtd) David Maraga in 2017, and Lawyer Paul Muite in 2015.
The award happens on the tenth day of December each year since inception in 1993 to commemorate and honor the United Nations International Human Rights Day.
