Noordin Haji

Haji was appointed by H.E Uhuru Kenyatta, the President of the Republic of Kenya as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on the 28th of March, 2018 following an interview by the Public Service Commission (PSC) and vetting by the National Assembly.[3] During his vetting speech, he would come to outline his strategic focus of Re-casting, Re-tooling and Re-learning for the ODPP. The aim of this strategy is to inject accountability, transparency, public confidence and quality control at the ODPP, ensuring an Office that is more responsive to its citizen's needs. This has been done in conjunction with the expansion of the ODPP to all the 47 counties in Kenya and a restructuring of the organisational structure.

Only two years into his position as the DPP, Haji has made a number of high-profile charges that are geared towards enhancing the fight against corruption. These charges have been against Finance Minister Henry Rotich,[4] Migori Governor Okoth Obado,[5] corruption charges against National Youth Service directors and the banks involved,[6] charges against the Kenya Power Directors[7] and Kenya pipeline employees,[8] to name a few. These high-profile cases have earned him both admirers and critics.

One of the most impactful rulings that have been passed during Haji's tenure, is the ruling by the High Court on the 25th of July, 2019 in the case of Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal. The ruling stated that governors facing graft charges should step aside from their office and roles during the duration of the case.[9] Furthermore, Section 62(6) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act which governors used to hang onto Office was declared unconstitutional.

Another impactful ruling was the ruling against Sirisia MP John Waluke in June 2020. Waluke was fined ksh. 727 million shillings or in default would face a 67-year jail term for the embezzling of Ksh. 300 million public funds through a maize scandal.[10]