Noordin Haji has once again found himself in the spotlight, and this time, it is about his failure to secure the votes of Ethiopia and Somalia for Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission (AUC) bid.
Political analyst Francis Gaitho has questioned his role, asking what use he is if he could not even deliver what he had promised. Just last month, Haji assured those in power that Ethiopia would support Kenya after a diplomatic visit by his counterpart.
He also promised Somalia’s backing, citing the strong ties between Northern Kenyan politicians and Somali business elites led by Aden Duale.
Yet, when the time came, these assurances turned out to be empty words. Kenya did not get the votes, and Raila Odinga’s bid failed.
This failure raises serious concerns about the influence and effectiveness of Haji in high-level diplomacy. Beyond the issue of the AUC vote, Gaitho has also questioned why national positions continue to be allocated to the same Somali oligarchs, despite their failure to deliver. It seems that regardless of performance, certain individuals and groups remain untouchable, benefiting from state appointments and favorable policies.
The situation is even worse when considering how national policies are being shaped to favor their business interests.
Laws are being bent, and economic policies manipulated to weaken local industries while giving preference to imports controlled by these elites.
The sugar industry is one example. Instead of protecting local production, government decisions are making it easier for imported sugar to flood the market, to the detriment of Kenyan farmers and factory workers.
Noordin Haji’s track record goes beyond just diplomatic failures. His tenure in government has been marked by accusations of abuse of power, forced disappearances, and kidnappings. When he served as the Director of Public Prosecutions, several high-profile cases of enforced disappearances were linked to security agencies operating under his watch.
Many Kenyans, particularly those from marginalized communities, were victims of arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, and cases where people vanished without a trace.
These actions have created fear and distrust, yet Haji continue to rise in ranks instead of being held accountable.
Kenya is being run in a way that prioritizes the interests of a few over the well-being of the entire nation. Policies that should protect local businesses are instead being skewed to benefit importers. People in power are making promises they cannot keep and still remain in office without any consequences.
The larger question remains who is really in charge of Kenya’s future? Is it the elected government, or is it a group of well-connected oligarchs controlling key sectors and decisions from behind the scenes?
The situation with Haji and the failed AUC bid is just one example of how power operates in Kenya today. It is not about merit, performance, or serving the country. It is about who you know and what deals you can make.
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