DPP Haji Speaks on Withdrawing High-Profile Cases
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has defended his move of withdrawing high-profile cases in the past several months.
Since President Ruto took over, several criminal cases involving the powerful were withdrawn while others in the corporate sector were set free.
During the launch of the Malalamishi System at the Nairobi Remand, Industrial Area, Haji, said dropping of cases is provided for in the law.
“We must, no matter who that person is in the society, even when that person comes from the high and mighty, that withdrawal must be done if it is justified.”
Among the politicians whose cases were dropped include Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and Cabinet Secretaries Aisha Jumwa and Mithika Linturi which Haji cited as a lack of sufficient evidence.
National Integrity Alliance (NIA) An Anti-Corruption Coalition, Opposed Haji’s appointment as the Director General National Intelligence Service.
The group said Haji’s nomination is against Chapter 6 of the constitution which provides guidelines on leadership and integrity.
They argued that Haji is unfit to hold the office since his conduct as DPP was questionable, particularly after dismissing eight cases linked to government officials.
“If these 8 cases had been successfully adjudicated Kenyans would have recovered about Ksh.11.3 billion let alone the time and human resources that have been spent in the investigation, prosecution, and adjudication process which could aid in dispensing other cases,” NIA officials said while speaking to the press.
The DPP now awaits vetting by Parliament’s Defense and Foreign Relations Committee after which President Ruto will officially appoint him as the next Director General, National Intelligence Service(NIS)