Wattanga fired as KRA power struggle explodes, defying resignation push
“He was asked in the morning to resign, but he declined. The board pulled the trigger early afternoon,” a source familiar with the developments revealed, pointing to a swift escalation that culminated in his ouster.
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner-General Humphrey Wattanga was forced out of office after declining pressure to resign, exposing a deepening rift between him and top government officials over the agency’s performance.
Further, KRA Board chaired by former Laikipia governor Nderitu Murrithi confirmed that it would not renew Wattanga’s contract, effectively ending his tenure and sending him on terminal leave with immediate effect.
Details emerging from within the tax authority indicate that Wattanga rejected a push by senior Treasury officials to step down voluntarily, prompting the KRA Board to terminate his tenure prematurely.
The board announced that he would proceed on leave immediately, effectively ending his stint before the expiry of his contract.
“He was asked in the morning to resign, but he declined. The board pulled the trigger early afternoon,” a source familiar with the developments revealed, pointing to a swift escalation that culminated in his ouster.
At the centre of the fallout were concerns over the agency’s performance, particularly in leveraging technology to enhance revenue collection.
Treasury officials are said to have expressed dissatisfaction with persistent system downtimes and what they viewed as insufficient returns from heavy investments in digital tax systems.
“Top Treasury officials felt he was not doing enough on the technological front… The system downtimes had surged,” the source added.
Wattanga’s exit comes at a time when KRA is under mounting pressure to meet ambitious revenue targets and reduce Kenya’s reliance on borrowing.
Despite ongoing reforms and the rollout of new digital tools, the authority has consistently fallen short of its collection targets during his tenure, intensifying scrutiny on its leadership.
In an official statement, KRA Board chairperson Ndiritu Muriithi confirmed the decision, stating: “The Kenya Revenue Authority Board informs the public that it will not be renewing Mr Humphrey Wattanga’s contract… consequently, he is proceeding on terminal leave effective immediately.”
The leadership change also follows a series of operational challenges, including disruptions to key tax systems such as the Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS), which affected cargo clearance at major entry points like the Port of Mombasa and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Lilian Nyawanda, the Commissioner for Customs and Border Control, has been appointed acting Commissioner-General as the board begins the search for a substantive replacement.
Wattanga’s ouster has thrust KRA into a leadership transition, triggering the start of a search for a substantive head to lead the country’s tax agency.
The decision marks a significant shift at the helm of the institution responsible for revenue collection in Kenya.
Wattanga, who was appointed in August 2023 on a three-year contract, had been credited with spearheading key reforms, including organisational restructuring and efforts to modernise tax administration through technology.
The board acknowledged his contribution, noting that he had played a role in strengthening the authority during his time in office.
Nyawanda’s appointment comes at a critical time when KRA faces mounting pressure to boost revenue collection amid growing fiscal demands.
Stakeholders have already urged the incoming leadership to prioritise reforms aimed at improving efficiency, taxpayer engagement and compliance.
The leadership shake-up coincides with a broader government reshuffle, with President William Ruto nominating Wattanga for a diplomatic role as Kenya’s High Commissioner to South Africa, subject to parliamentary approval.
