Director-General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) nominee Noordin Haji on Tuesday, May 30, declined to reveal his net worth during his vetting by Members of Parliament.
While appearing before the Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee, Haji noted that the matter would become a national security issue at some point after he assumes office.
Haji, who serves as the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), however, opted to present a statement declaring his wealth, accompanied by supporting documents, before the committee.
"Honourable chair, I am going to request considering the sensitivity of the office I will hold, that I give this to your committee because it might be a national security issue at some point," he stated.
Wealth declaration is anchored by the Public Officer Ethics Act, 2003, which states that every public officer must make financial declarations of incomes, assets and liabilities.
Further, Haji was put to task to explain why his office withdrew multiple cases implicating senior government officials.
The DPP noted that his office was guided by the Constitution which dictated that the ODPP ought to withdraw a case if the evidence is wanting or an abuse of the process of acquiring the evidence.
"The constitution is very clear on the rules and powers of ODPP. A lot of these cases that have been cited and withdrawn were made independently."
"We had issues with how the evidence was passed to the ODPP. Initially, the evidence tabled showed we had sufficient evidence in most of those cases to prosecute. In some of those cases, the investigating officers presented evidence that was not complete, some were forged," he stated.
Haji pointed out that the decisions ultimately lied with the court which provided an oversight role in the withdrawal of the cases.
He added that in the course of the three years, he had received severe threats through 20 different cases - however, he stood firm in making independent decisions.
Haji was nominated by President William Ruto for the role on Tuesday, May 16, and is set to succeed Major-General (Rtd) Philip Wachira Kameru, if approved.
"His Excellency the President has, in accordance with Section 7 (1) of the National Intelligence Service Act, nominated Mr Noordin Haji, CBS, for appointment as the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
"Haji returns to the National Intelligence Service after a six-year sojourn as the Director of Public Prosecutions. Before becoming the nation's apex public prosecutor, Haji served as the Deputy Director of the Counter Organised Crime Unit within the National Intelligence Service (NIS)," the statement read in part.
