Pulse Kenya is the most followed news and entertainment platform in Kenya. It informs and engages young Kenyans around the clock and provides updates by the hour.

Pulselive Kenya

Noordin Haji's Biography: Previous roles at NIS, family background networth & reason for wealth secrecy

Noordin Haji's Biography: Previous roles at NIS & why he keeps wealth sources secret | Pulselive Kenya

Amos Robi

<ul><li>Noordin Haji, born in 1973, is the Director General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS</li><li>Haji has a strong educational background, including degrees from the University of Wales, Cardiff, and the Australian National University</li><li>He comes from a family with a rich legacy of public service and political involvement in Kenya</li></ul>

Noordin Haji's is a familiar name in Kenya, known for his role as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which he was appointed to in 2018.

Born into a family with a rich legacy of public service, Haji has worked his way up to his current role as the Director General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

<h3>Family background and early life</h3>

Noordin Haji was born on July 3, 1973. His father, Mohamed Yusuf Haji, was a notable figure in Kenyan politics and public administration, serving as the Garissa Senator and Kenya's Minister of Defence from 2008 to 2013.

In 2012, Yusuf Haji also acted as the Minister of Internal Security and Provincial Affairs. Noordin’s mother was a teacher, contributing to the family's emphasis on education and service.

Noordin Haji's father the late Yusuf Haji

READ: <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/meet-nis-deputy-director-general-agnes-shikuku-highest-ranking-woman-in-intelligence/rqc6sl6">Meet Agnes Shikuku, Kenya's highest-ranking woman in NIS</a>

Growing up in a household steeped in public service, Noordin Haji enjoyed a privileged upbringing.

He attended Kabarak High School for his secondary education and later Greensteds International School in Nakuru.

Haji pursued higher education abroad, earning an LLM and LLB from the University of Wales and Cardiff, and an MNSPO (Master’s degree in National Security Policy) with merit from the Australian National University.

He also holds a postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law.

Haji's career in public service began in 2000 when he joined the Attorney General's office as a State Counsel.

Kenya's Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji

READ: <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/nis-gets-new-role-in-passport-issuance-as-backlog-hits-724000/qn1xqbf">NIS gets new role in passport issuance</a>

His tenure in the Attorney General’s office was marked by significant contributions, particularly in providing legal counsel to various law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

<h3>Founding and running Radio Salaam</h3>

Radio Salaam, which was founded in the year 2006 being an Islamic radio channel, was started by Nordin Hajji.

It was also co-owned by his father who is the Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji and his other brother - Abdul Haji.

At a point, Haji was criticised for using the radio station for his undercover work. The station was however sold in 2016 and is no longer owned by the Hajis.

Even though it was sold, the station produced some of the top names in Radio among them former journalist now Nyali member of parliament Mohammed Ali and Radio Maisha presenter Tongola Mate and even <a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/entertainment/celebrities/why-rashid-abdalla-and-wife-lulu-hassan-havent-quit-citizen-tv-job-despite-production/9756rsg">Citizen TV's Lulu Hassan.</a>

Mumbi Mutuko

READ: <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/nis-senior-boss-diary-reveals-what-pushed-tom-mboya-adala-to-end-his-life/nvh29wr">NIS senior boss' diary reveals how marital struggles pushed him to end his life</a>

<h3>Career at the National Intelligence Service</h3>

Haji's expertise eventually led to his appointment as Deputy Director of the NIS, where he played a crucial role in shaping national security policies and operations.

Haji served as the Deputy Director of the Counter Organised Crime Unit <a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/parliament-committee-reveals-incoming-nis-director-general-noordin-hajis-net-worth/542yr0b">before his appointment as the DPP.</a>

He has also served as the Deputy Director, Administration, and Internal Division, (NIS) from January 2015 to June 2016;

Haji was also the Head of Somalia Stabilization; the Principal Intelligence Officer- External Division, (NIS) from 2010 to 2013; the Head Countering Violent Extremism Assistant Intelligence Officer Director General’s Coordination Office from 2009 to 2010.

He headed the Legal Department, National Security Intelligence Service (NSIS); Principal Legal Advisor to the Director General between 2005 and 2009.

Noordin Haji during his vetting in the National Assembly on May 30, 2023

Denis Mwangi

READ: <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/guide-to-pursuing-a-career-in-the-nis-with-a-certificate-diploma-or-degree/gj553cv">How to join NIS with a certificate, diploma or degree</a>

He was also the deputy Head Legal Department, National Security Intelligence Service from Dec 2000 to July 2005)

<h3>Tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)</h3>

In March 2018, Noordin Haji was appointed as Kenya’s Director of Public Prosecutions by <a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/uhurus-message-to-ruto-as-he-sides-with-kenyans-following-anti-tax-protests/elx1c01">former President Uhuru Kenyatta.</a>

As the DPP, Haji's tenure was marked by both success and controversy. He was accussed by a section of politicians for being used by President Uhuru Kenyatta's government to silence his political opponents.

However he also had a number of successes which the pursuing of top cases and the introduction of several reforms in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), including the implementation of an electronic filing system that significantly improved service delivery.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji speaking during past media briefing

READ: <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/fraudsters-visit-dci-hq-pretending-to-be-nis-military-intelligence-officials/2v9kynr">How daring cons visited DCI HQ to impersonate NIS, KDF intelligence officers</a>

<h3>Return to the National Intelligence Service</h3>

In 2023, Noordin Haji returned to the National Intelligence Service, where he was appointed as the Director General by President William Ruto.

His extensive experience in both legal and intelligence fields uniquely positioned him to address the complex security challenges facing Kenya.

After moving to the NIS, Haji made major changes at the spy agency, appointing the <a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/meet-nis-deputy-director-general-agnes-shikuku-highest-ranking-woman-in-intelligence/rqc6sl6">first female deputy director-general </a>in the organisation's history.

The changes, saw a number of long-serving officers reassigned and others retired.

READ: <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/gachagua-lists-4-blunders-nis-boss-noordin-haji-made-and-left-ruto-exposed/jk4ssjv">Gachagua lists 4 blunders by NIS boss Noordin Haji that left Ruto exposed</a>

Despite his high-profile career, Noordin Haji has kept his personal life largely out of the public eye.

He is married and has children, maintaining a private family life away from the limelight.

During Haji's vetting for the position of the NIS Director General, he revealed his networth to be Sh466 million. He also disclosed that he received an annual salary of Sh9 million and Sh12 million from a family business.

<a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/mps-break-protocol-after-noordin-haji-declines-to-reveal-his-net-worth-during-vetting/jxknlq7">Haji declined to share details about his wealth</a>&nbsp;and sources of income and requested to submit the documents away from the glare of the media.

Citing the sensitivity of his position and the need to safeguard national security, Haji argued that revealing his financial information could potentially be compromising.

Noordin Haji's Biography: Previous roles at NIS & why he keeps wealth sources secret

Business

lifestyle

Entertainment

News

Politics

Local

World

Celebrities

Music

Movies

Sports 

Fashion

Beauty & Health

Relationships & Weddings

Food & Travel

Lifestyle

Domestic

International 

Explore categories

The Pulse Influencer Awards has been set up to recognize and highlight bright lights in the influencer space in Kenya who are building active engaged communities around their niche or craft.

Influencer Awards

Company Pages

Breaking News & Top Stories | Pulselive Kenya

Pulse Kenya

Video

Checkout our authors for the latest content across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulselive Kenya

Authors | Pulselive Kenya

| Pulselive Kenya

Read the latest news across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulselive Kenya

Search for the latest content across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulselive Kenya

Search Results | Pulselive Kenya

Watch the latest videos across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone| Pulselive Kenya