Noordin Haji Stripped Off Award He Received in 2019

Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji speaking on Monday May 22, 2023
Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji speaking on Monday May 22, 2023.
Photo
ODPP

Transparency International Kenya (TIK), on Friday, May 26, withdrew a leadership integrity award conferred to the Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji in 2019.

In a statement, the anti-graft non-governmental organisation noted that the withdrawal followed petitions from various stakeholders questioning Haji's integrity

In the notice signed by Sheila Masinde, TIK's Executive Director, TIK indicated that it had examined different petitions raising concerns over the withdrawal of high-profile graft cases resulting in the loss of public funds.

Haji was accused of eroding public confidence in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP). 

An image of DPP Noordin Haji at a past press briefing.
An image of DPP Noordin Haji at a past press briefing.
Photo
ODPP Kenya

"The Judging Panel for the 2019 Integrity Awards comprising some independent commissions, enforcement agencies, professional bodies and civil society organisations, were at that time convicted that your dedication to upholding the rule of law and inspiring public confidence in your office was commendable and worthy of recognition," the body wrote.

Haji was thus ordered to return the certificate and a plaque he received in line with the award. 

"In light of these concerns and after careful consideration, Transparency International Kenya has made the decision to withdraw the Leadership Integrity Award (State/Public Officer) conferred upon you in 2019, based on our firm belief that maintaining the highest standards of integrity is crucial for all recipients of our awards. 

"We thus require you to give back the certificate and plaque issued to you for the award," the non-profit organisation stated.

TIK had earlier threatened to challenge the nomination of Haji as the Director General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to succeed Major General (Rtd) Philip Kameru. It raised similar allegations contained in the letter withdrawing his award.

Responding to the allegations raised, Haji, on Monday, May 22, argued that he was entitled by the law to withdraw cases which lacked sufficient evidence.

"I have become unanimous with withdrawals, but withdrawals are provided under the constitution, and it is a right, and where there is a miscarriage of justice, we must, no matter who that person is in society, that withdrawal must apply if it is justified," Haji stated during the launch of the complaints and case review system, Malalamishi, at Nairobi Remand Prison at the Industrial Area.

The cases Haji withdrew included graft suits involving Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and Cabinet Secretaries Aisha Jumwa and Mithika Linturi.

Haji
Incoming Director General of NIS Noordin Haji addresses the gathering during a multi-agency meeting held at the Kenya School of Law on April 27, 2023.
Photo
ODPP Kenya