Ruto Meets Boss Of UK’s MI6 Spy Agency At State House [PHOTOS]

President William Ruto and Noordin Haji, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General, held a meeting with Richard Moore, who heads the United Kingdom’s (UK) Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) alias MI6.

As per the Head of State’s sentiments on his social media platforms on Tuesday, October 22, the meeting took place at State House in the presence of Haji and British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan.

The meeting was centred on security in Kenya and the region at large. Particularly, Ruto and the MI6 boss discussed issues regarding counter-terrorism measures within the regional block.

“Kenya has a strong relationship with the United Kingdom, ranging from diplomatic, investment and business to defence and security. Our two countries also share common values of democracy, the rule of law and peaceful resolution of conflicts,” revealed Ruto.

President William Ruto (centre) during a meeting with UK Foreign Intelligence agency M16 Chief of Service Richard Moore on October 22, 2024. /PCS

“Met UK Foreign Intelligence agency M16 Chief of Service Richard Moore and British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan, State House Nairobi, and discussed counter-terrorism, peace and security measures in the Eastern African region.”

About MI6

Founded in 1909, SIS (or MI6) exists to protect the UK’s people, economy and interests from overseas threats. It helps other countries with whom the UK shares values of democracy, international law and universal human rights.

According to the MI6 official website, SIS has officers operating all around the world and works closely with the other UK intelligence agencies – MI5, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), and Government departments.

“We work secretly overseas to gather intelligence from people and organisations.  Our work is often referred to as ‘espionage’ or ‘spying’. It has to be done in secret to protect our staff, our agents, our technology and ultimately the UK.  ‘Agents’ are individuals who choose to help us collect intelligence,” the website explains.

SIS has three core areas of focus: 

• Counter Terrorism – stopping terrorist attacks in the UK, against our interests overseas, and supporting our allies
• Disrupting Hostile State Activity – tackling threats from hostile and malign states, promoting the UK’s prosperity and influencing international affairs
• Cyber – promoting and defending the UK’s cyber realm and using our cyber expertise to reduce threats.

Its impact in these areas also reduces serious and organised crime, prevents the spread of nuclear and chemical weapons and upholds the international rule of law.   

The meeting is likely to raise eyebrows. Haji was notably the subject of attacks by impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who boldly called on him to resign over what he termed as laxity in disseminating intelligence to President Ruto.

Speaking during a live press conference in Mombasa, Gachagua on Thursday, June 26 claimed that the country’s intelligence system was faulty, blaming the NIS for failing to gather enough intelligence that could have been used to avert the fatal demonstrations on June 25.