Nairobi, Kenya – The High Court of Kenya has dismissed a petition challenging the appointment of Noordin Haji as Director General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), effectively validating the decision made by President William Ruto in 2023.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, March 12, 2026, Justice Lawrence Mugambi said the petition lacked merit and failed to demonstrate any violation of constitutional or legal provisions in
Haji’s appointment.
“The petition lacks merit and is hereby dismissed,” Justice Mugambi ruled.
Petitioners’ Claims
The petitioner argued that pending cases before the High Court and the Public Service Commission should have disqualified Haji from taking up the sensitive intelligence post.
However, the court rejected this argument, noting that the claims did not meet the legal threshold to invalidate a presidential appointment.
The court emphasized that there was no evidence showing that the nomination and eventual appointment breached constitutional procedures.
Justice Mugambi further clarified that the president has discretionary authority to appoint certain senior public officers, including the head of NIS.
Judicial intervention is only warranted if there is clear evidence that the appointing authority acted outside constitutional or legal boundaries.
Noordin Haji’s Defense
During the proceedings, Haji maintained that the allegations against him were unfounded and that his appointment was conducted fully in accordance with the law, particularly under the provisions of the NIS Act.
Haji succeeded Philip Kameru, the former NIS Director General, after his appointment by President Ruto in 2023. His nomination had faced multiple legal challenges, questioning both the nomination process and his suitability for the role.
With this latest ruling, the High Court has reaffirmed the legality of Haji’s appointment, effectively ending another round of legal disputes over the leadership of Kenya’s intelligence agency.
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