DPP Haji Stripped Of Award He Won In 2019

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji on Friday, May 26 lost a leadership integrity award conferred to him by Transparency International Kenya (TIK) in 2019.

The anti-graft non-governmental organisation in a statement noted that the move was a result of petitions and a subsequent assessment based on concerns over Haji's withdrawal of high-profile cases in the past several months, which has been the subject of backlash from some Kenyans.

In the notice signed by Sheila Masinde, TIK's Executive Director, TIK reiterated its firm belief that maintaining the highest standards of integrity is crucial for all recipients of the awards. 

"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 accused of eroding public confidence during his tenure at the helm of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

He was therefore ordered to return the certificate as well as a plaque he had 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," Masinde added.

TIK had earlier threatened to contest Haji's nomination as the Director General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to succeed Major General (Rtd) Philip Kameru and had raised similar allegations in the letter which stripped him of his award.

Haji on Monday, May 22 however argued that he was entitled to 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.