Standard newspaper ordered to make a public apology by DPP Noordin Haji over Italy trip

DPP Haji after Standard over today's story

Mark Mwithaga

March 4, 2019 5:21 PM

Furious DPP puts newspaper on the spot

DPP Noordin Haji during a past meeting

Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji has warned Standard newspaper to make a public apology over the story published by the local daily on Monday.

Through a press release, Haji stated that the story which appeared on the front page captioned “DPP’s Italy trip links four CSs firms given plum projects” was wrong in terms of where the writer got the information from.

DPP's statement over Standard newspaper story (Twitter) Pulse Live Kenya

Second part of the DPP's statement over story published by Standard Newspaper (Twitter) Pulse Live Kenya

“I note with utmost dismay and concern that the author of the story alleges to have obtained the information from a member of team which is described as the Multi-Agency Team (MAT) comprising of the EACC, AG, DPP, DCI and Asset Recovery Agency (ARA).

“While a visit was made to Italy by the ODPP, none of the alleged members of MAT, accompanied the DPP,” read a part of the statement.

Haji further noted that it was unprofessional of the local daily to do a story without seeking clarification from him.

“I wish to confirm to the public that I am not privy to the alleged information and the article is therefore grossly untrue,” remarked Haji.

The apology according to the DPP, should be published immediately by the editors or they would face consequences.

“Consequently, I demand a public apology from the Editors of the concerned media house and the apology should be published immediately failure to which, I shall have no option but to take appropriate legal action,” warned the DPP.

CMC di Rivera owned by a CSs on Haji's radar

According to the Standard Group owned newspaper, CMC di Rivera, an Italian company, that is one of the companies in the multi-billion Arror scandal, was claimed to be owned by one of the CSs being monitored by the public prosecutor.

Director Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji Pulse Live Kenya

The team is alleged to have been shocked after the discovery that tenders awarded to international companies are actually firms owned by politicians in the country.

The Italian company is still however hired to oversee government projects amounting to Sh91 billion.

Mark Mwithaga