Noordin Haji was on Wednesday, June 14, sworn in as the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS). This followed his nomination by President William Ruto on May 16 and his approval by Parliament’s Defence and Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, June 13.  Mr Haji will now return to NIS where he previously served as the Deputy Director of the Counter Organised Crime Unit (June 2016-2017). 

Mr Haji holds a Master’s degree in National Security Policy with Merit from the Australian National University and another Master in Law (LLM) degree from the University of Wales, Cardiff (1997), a Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the University of Wales, Cardiff (1996). He did his ‘A’ levels at Bronte College Canada and ‘O’ levels at Greenstead’s High School. He sat for his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (1987) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (1989) in Moi Primary School and Moi High School Kabarak respectively.

Mr Haji has worked in various capacities in his career. He was the Director of Public Prosecutions from 2018 until his appointment as NIS director-general. In addition to serving as the Deputy Director, Counter Organized Crime, (NIS), he has also served as the Deputy Director, Administration, and Internal Division, (NIS) from January 2015 to June 2016; the Head of Somalia Stabilization; the Principal Intelligence Officer- External Division, (NIS) from 2010 to 2013; the Head Countering Violent Extremism Assistant Intelligence Officer Director General’s Coordination Office from 2009 to 2010. Head Legal Department, National Security Intelligence Service (NSIS); Principal Legal Advisor to the Director General between 2005 and 2009; Deputy Head Legal Department, National Security Intelligence Service from Dec 2000 to July 2005). Mr Haji also served as a State Counsel at the Attorney-General’s Office attached to the Treaties and Agreements Department from January 2000 to December 2000. He did his pupillage as an Advocate at Seth & Wathigo Advocates between October 1998 and January 2000. Mr Haji  taught International Law at Moi University in 1998 and worked at African Muslim Agency as a field officer from January to September 1995.

Mr Haji is a Notary Public of the High Court of Kenya (2011); Commissioner of Oaths of the High Court of Kenya (2011); Registered Certified Public Secretary and Member of the Institute of Certified Secretaries of Kenya (Member No. R/CPSB2537) (2011). Furthermore, he is a Member of the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) where he was appointed Vice President (Representative of the Africa and Indian Ocean Region) from 23rd October 2022 to date. He is also a member of the African Association of Prosecutors (APA) having been nominated as an Executive Committee Member from 2019 to date. Lastly, he is a member of the Eastern Africa Association of Prosecutors (EAAP) and appointed as the President from 2nd March 2023 to date.

Mr Haji has been named the ICJ Kenya Jurist of the Year (2021) for his commitment to championing Access to Justice. Further, he was awarded the 2020 Public Sector Lawyer of the Year at the Nairobi Legal Awards; the 2019 Star Person of the Year Award by the Star; and the 2019 Distinguished Taxpayers Award. He has also been recognized and awarded the Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS) in 2018; and the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) in 2012.

Mr Haji  published a dissertation on Force Majeure Clauses in English CIF Contracts, in September 1997 and several prosecution guidelines. Furthermore, he has published ODPP transformation and change management manuals. Finally, he has contributed to the Diploma in Public Prosecutions at the Prosecution Training Institute.