President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision to nominate Noordin Haji to take over after Keriako Tobiko as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has drawn sharp reactions.
Activists criticized the move saying there were more qualified candidates for the position than Haji whose experience within judicial circles has been described as ‘scanty’.
Nakuru-based activist Kiogora Ndung’u said Lucy Kambuni, a senior counsel, would have been the best candidate.“He is a political insider.
The nomination was more political than anything. Let us not forget that he is the son of Yussuf Haji, a Kenyatta backer,” Ndung’u said.
Activist Okiya Omtata said the nomination is a ‘red flag’.
"The holder of this office should not be someone of his background," Omtata said.
George Kegoro, the executive director of the Kenya Human Rights Commission also questioned the appointment.
"We are very concerned because he is not known within the legal profession,"said Kegoro.
Haji’s name was forwarded to parliament by President Kenyatta on Tuesday for approval.
The President settled on Haji from a list of three people: Noordin Haji, Lucy Kambuni and Jacob Nyakundi.