Belgut Member of Parliament Nelson Koech has defended National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji amid growing criticism over his role in Kenya’s failed bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position.

The presence of Haji in Kenya’s delegation to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has sparked a heated debate about the involvement of intelligence agencies in diplomatic missions.

Speaking on a local media station on Monday, February 17, 2025, Koech dismissed what he termed as unfair attacks on both the intelligence agency and its director.

“I’ve seen people cast aspersions and criticize the role of the NIS and it has become lately easy and very fashionable to attack the NIS and the persona of Noordin Haji. I want to say that is unfortunate. It is because of the sheer ignorance of people,” Koech stated.

Koech further emphasized that the criticism stems from a lack of understanding of the agency’s mandate and responsibilities.

“People do not understand the role of the NIS. I do appreciate the role of the NIS both locally and globally in terms of making sure they give proper intelligent information to the head of state,” he added.

Efficient

Defending Haji’s leadership, Koech attributed the criticism to the director’s efficiency.

“The Director, Noordin Haji is brutally efficient and that is why people have a problem with him,” he said.

Koech’s defence comes after Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi justified Haji’s presence at the summit.

Speaking in an interview with a local media station on February 16, 2025, Mudavadi emphasized that such diplomatic participation by intelligence chiefs was standard practice.

“He’s a Kenyan. Other countries also have their intelligence chiefs here,” Mudavadi explained.

Past criticism

In a police statement recorded at Kilimani Police Station on January 14, 2025, Muturi detailed how his son was kidnapped by armed hooded gangsters along Dennis Pritt Road.

After unsuccessful attempts to locate his son through various security agencies, Muturi escalated the matter to President William Ruto.

According to Muturi’s statement, it was only after President Ruto’s direct intervention that Haji confirmed holding Leslie.

“Standing outside the pavilion, I heard the president ask Noordin Haji if he was holding my son, Noordin confirmed that indeed he was holding my son, and the president instructed him to release Leslie immediately,” Muturi stated.