Noordin Haji has his hands full as he takes over spy body
Noordin Haji will have his hands full as he prepares to assume the office of National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General.
Haji, who was nominated by President William Ruto to the role on May 16, 2023, had his nomination approved by Parliament on June 13, 2023.
He replaces retired Major-General Philip Wachira Kameru and faces a number of challenges, including working round the clock to help security systems contain terrorism which has been a perennial threat to Kenya owing to its proximity to Somalia.
Haji also takes over as President Ruto is facing a volatile political situation owing to consistent unrests by the opposition and the reported emergence of the outlawed Mungiki sect in Central Kenya.
The new NIS boss will also be crucial in investigating the deaths associated with the Shakahola cult at the Coast. More than 200 people were reported to have been starved to death and buried.
Meanwhile, Kenya is also facing a hunger crisis with the country relying on importing maize and milk from Tanzania and Uganda.
Haji, son of former Security minister Yuusf Haki, assumes office despite suggestions by a section of civil society groups objecting his nomination claiming he is unfit to hold the office.
This follows his act to withdraw various criminal cases touching on prominent people in the country, a decision he attributed to lack of credible evidence to nail the suspects.
This led to the withdrawal of his 2019 Leadership Integrity Award by Transparency International (TI) Kenya.
“These petitions have raised serious allegations regarding the withdrawal of high profile corruption cases, including those for which you were previously recognised, resulting in the loss of public funds,” TI statement read.
Before he served as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Haji was the deputy director of the Counter Organised Crime Unit within the NIS.