The High Court has dismissed a petition contesting the nomination and appointment of Noordin Haji as Director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), affirming the President’s constitutional discretion in appointing key public officers.
“The petition lacks merit and is hereby dismissed,” ruled Justice Lawrence Mugambi, emphasizing that judicial intervention is warranted only if the President acts outside the constitutional framework. The ruling underscores that interference in the appointment process would constitute judicial overreach.
The petitioners had argued that unresolved cases before the High Court and the Public Service Commission should have disqualified Haji from the appointment. The court, however, found these claims misplaced, noting that they did not legally prevent his nomination.
Responding to the petition, Noordin Haji stated that the allegations were unsubstantiated and reaffirmed that his appointment fully complied with the NIS Act.
This ruling clears the way for Haji to continue his tenure as head of Kenya’s intelligence agency without legal hindrance, consolidating the President’s authority in making appointments to key positions within the public service.
