According to various reports on X, the presence of NIS Director Noordin Haji at the airport to welcome Sudanese rebel leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, has raised serious concerns.
Hemedti, a man sanctioned by the United States for leading what has been described as a genocide in Sudan, was given a warm reception in Kenya, with top government officials present, including Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. Also spotted in the video is Zaheer Jhanda, a man widely accused of being a key player in gold smuggling and financial fraud.
The presence of these figures at such a controversial event is a strong indication of the shadowy dealings that continue to define Kenya’s security and intelligence leadership under Noordin Haji.
Noordin Haji, who heads Kenya’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), has increasingly been viewed as a compromised figure, serving the interests of powerful Somali oligarchs rather than the Kenyan public.
His involvement in welcoming Hemedti, a figure responsible for mass atrocities in Sudan, further cements allegations that his job security is tied to the influence of Somali businessmen who have bankrolled William Ruto’s presidency.
These oligarchs, who have been linked to the abductions, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings witnessed in Kenya since mid-2024, seem to have secured a grip on the country’s security agencies.
It is reported that they paid large sums of money to install their preferred individuals in key positions, including the NIS Director General, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Military Intelligence.
By controlling these critical security institutions, the Somali oligarchs have managed to tilt policies in their favor, ensuring that their business interests are protected while undermining local enterprises. This has led to a scenario where Kenya’s security apparatus is no longer serving the interests of the people but is instead being used as a tool for foreign businessmen and corrupt elites.
The abductions and killings, which have largely targeted critics of the current administration, are believed to be a direct result of this infiltration. Individuals who have spoken out against corruption and security failures have either disappeared or been found dead under mysterious circumstances, with fingers pointing at Haji’s NIS.
Haji’s appointment to head NIS has been controversial from the start. His tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was marred by allegations of compromised prosecutions, dropped cases against powerful individuals, and questionable legal maneuvers that benefited the political elite.
Now, with his role in Kenya’s intelligence sector, his focus appears to have shifted from law enforcement to outright suppression of dissent. The fact that he was present to welcome a sanctioned militia leader like Hemedti only reinforces the argument that he is operating at the behest of those who want Kenya’s security institutions to serve their personal interests rather than the country’s sovereignty.
Kenyans have every reason to be concerned. When a country’s intelligence chief is seen embracing an international warlord accused of genocide, it sends a dangerous signal.
It means that the leadership of the security agencies is comfortable working with figures who have a history of war crimes, making it easier for Kenya to be entangled in criminal networks that thrive on impunity.
Haji’s association with such figures raises fundamental questions about where his loyalties lie and whether he is working for Kenya or a network of foreign businessmen who have bought their way into the country’s leadership.
The normalization of such meetings also exposes how deeply Kenya’s security institutions have been compromised. Under Haji’s leadership, NIS has not only failed to protect Kenyans from criminal syndicates but has actively facilitated the capture of state institutions by shadowy figures. If Haji’s presence at the event was meant to send a message, it was clear, Kenya’s intelligence boss is aligned with those who have a vested interest in protecting illicit business operations rather than securing the country. His continued stay in office raises serious national security risks that should not be ignored.
Add Comment