The High Court has dismissed a petition that sought to block Noordin Haji from taking up his role as Director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
Justice Lawrence Mugambi, who delivered the ruling on Thursday, said the petition had no merit.
He explained that the Constitution gives the President the power to appoint key public officers, and the court cannot interfere unless there is clear evidence of wrongdoing.
The petitioners had argued that Haji should not have been appointed because of unresolved cases before the High Court and the Public Service Commission.
The court, however, said these claims were misplaced and did not disqualify him. Justice Mugambi added that judicial interference in appointments without constitutional grounds would be overstepping the court’s role.
Speaking after the ruling, NIS Director Noordin Haji said the allegations were untrue and reiterated that his appointment fully complied with the NIS Act. He thanked the court for affirming the legality of his appointment.