Northeastern leaders welcome Haji's nomination as NIS boss

A section of leaders from Northeastern have welcomed the nomination of Noordin Haji as the director general of the National Intelligence Service.

They include Defence CS Aden Duale, Garissa Governor Nathif Jama, senator Abdul Haji, MPs Abdikadir Hussein (Lagdera), Abdi Ali(Ijara) and Mohamed Adow (Wajir South).

Others are Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane and his Tana River counterpart Mahat Ali Loka, ODM nominated MP Umulkheir Harun and former Ijara MP Sophia Abdinoor.

President Ruto nominated the Director of Public Prosecution ahead of the retirement of Major General (Rtd) Philip Wachira Kameru, the outgoing NIS Director-General.

He is expected to be vetted by Parliament's Defence and Foreign Relations Committee after which the President will officially appoint him to the position.

The leaders who were speaking in Masalani town during the inauguration of the town to municipality status thanked former President Uhuru Kenyatta for picking Haji to serve in his government as DPP in the crucial justice sector saying that it was a clear manifestation he has in his ability to deliver.

Duale praised Haji saying that he was a career civil servant who has risen up the ladder and remained consistent in offering the best in all the areas that he has served.

Duale while thanking the president for appointing several people from the region in key dockets especially the security sector assured him of total commitment and dedication to serve in his government.

On his part, Garissa governor said that the residents have every reason to support the Kenya Kwanza administration saying that as a community, they are well represented in it.

The Ijara MP on his part took issue with those who have criticised Haji's nomination saying that those doing so are not doing it out of good will.

His Wajir South counterpart Mohamed Adow while thanking the President for bestowing his trust in key positions was, however, quick to add that the positions come with responsibilities.

"Top security agencies are most of them in the hands of the people of Northeastern. And that comes with responsibilities. The responsibility it comes with is for us as members of the public to support them in earnest without any pre conditions,” he said.

He added, "We are opening the border, we are doing all we can to ensure that our country and region is very safe.my appeal to the people is please let us give information to the government.”

Lagdera MP Abdikadir Hussein also added his voice on the issue and called on the President to spread the appointments to all communities so that other communities do not feel left out in his government.

On her part, former Ijara MP Sophia Abdi Noor hit out at those who have been opposing Haji’s nomination saying that as leaders from Northeastern, they will remain firm in defending him against those out to malign his name.