NIA Submits a Petition to The Public Service Commission for the Removal of DPP, Mr Noordin Haji

Nairobi, Tuesday, 23, May, 2023,

KNA by Emma Jolly Wambui.

The National Integrity Alliance a citizen centred integrity and anti-corruption coalition comprising Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya), The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Inuka Kenya Ni Sisi, and The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA) submitted a petition to the Public Service Commission to seek the removal of Mr Noordin Haji from office as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on the grounds of gross misconduct, incompetence and non-compliance with Chapter six of the constitution of Kenya 2010.

The Executive Director, Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya), Sheila Masinde said that about seven-graft related prosecutions have been withdrawn under Mr Haji's watch, on grounds of insufficient evidence to sustain the prosecutions, these botched prosecutions have cost Kenyans an estimated Shs. 11billion in a period of extreme financial difficulties making him incompetent for the office.

“If this is not a costly incompetence from a civil servant then what is it?” Masinde asked

In addition, the Executive Director, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Mr Davis Malombe, highlighted that Mr Haji failed to follow set out guidelines on the decision to charge, acted against the interests of justice and public interest and failed to promote public trust and confidence in the office he holds.

In her speech, National coordinator -TISA Kenya, Madam Diana Gichengo, pointed out gross misconduct of the DPP in exercising preferential treatment in handling the prosecution of some cases of politically exposed persons.

“We have argued that the withdrawal of prosecution of cases affecting a category of people, within a set time frame, is discriminating behaviour amounting to gross misconduct,” stated Diana.

She further said that as the National Intelligence Alliance they hold that Mr Haji is not fit to hold any public office and as a current public servant, the Public Service Commission must act swiftly to remove him from Office as the DPP.

They also aim to submit a memorandum to the vetting committee at the National Assembly expressing the aforementioned concerns and in case Mr Haji sails through the sieving process in parliament, they are prepared to challenge his appointment in the courts of law.

Courtesy; K.N.A