TI Kenya strips DPP Haji of the Leadership Integrity Award
The 2019 Leadership Integrity Award conferred upon the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has been withdrawn.
Haji was conferred the award by Transparency International Kenya (TI) four years ago.
He has since been nominated by President William Ruto to become the country’s Director General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
TI Kenya is among a number of civil society groups opposed to Haji’s nomination.
In taking the decision, the anti-graft agency says the award was at the time bestowed upon him in recognition of the role he played in the criminal justice process, in particular in ensuring the prosecution of high-profile cases.
“Regrettably, we have received public petitions and conducted an assessment based on concerns raised by the public and our partners championing integrity in Kenya,” says TI Kenya Executive Director Sheila Masinde in a letter dated May 23, 2023 addressed to Haji.
“These petitions have raised serious allegations regarding the withdrawal of high-profile corruption cases, including those for which you were previously recognized, resulting in the loss of public funds.”
Under the National Integrity Alliance umbrella, the aggrieved civil society groups have furnished Haji with detailed information and evidence of the extent to which he has “derogated from his responsibility as the Director of Public Prosecutions thus eroding public confidence in his office.”
Haji has come under stinging criticism over his decision to withdraw high-profile cases featuring prominent politicians since the ruling Kenya Kwanza regime took power after the August 9 elections.
Politicians whose cases have been dropped include Cabinet Secretaries Aisha Jumwa of Public Service and Mithika Linturi of Agriculture.
Haji has however defended his decision saying it was not only taken due to insufficient evidence but also within the confines of the law.
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