James Mburu replaces John Njiraini as KRA boss
Money & Careers
By
Fredrick Obura
| Jun 06, 2019
NAIROBI, KENYA: The government has appointed a new commissioner general for the Kenya Revenue Authority.
Cabinet Secretary National Treasury on Thursday appointed James Mburu to the post for three years replacing John Njiraini. He will assume office on July 1.
Mburu served KRA as the Commissioner for Intelligence and Strategic Operations. He emerged from a group of five including Andrew Okello International Monetary Fund regional adviser in charge of East and Central Africa, veteran accountant Julius Waita Mwatu, Richard Boro Ndungu, and Duncan Otieno.
The job was advertised in April. Njiraini has been at the helm of the tax authority since March 2012 following his appointment by President Uhuru Kenyatta, then finance minister.
READ MORE
Expert: The shilling has regained value, but don't expect it to last
Unearthing the artifacts of WWII: A journey through Matuu and beyond
Roam, County Bus Service partner to deploy 200 electric buses
Budget cuts loom for Parliament thanks to Sh9.6b Bunge Towers
Private sector partnerships important to catalysing sports
Tax stand-off as boda boda riders defy county call to pay
Islamic banking gets traction in Africa as Salaam Bank feted
Data privacy major challenge for Kenya's digital space, report
Angola ICT Minister: Invest in space industry to ensure a connected, peaceful Africa
Mr. Njiraini replaced Michael Waweru.
Activist Okiya Omtatah’s attempt to remove Njiraini in 2017 fell through after the labour court ruled that he was on a fixed term contract, which is permissible under Section 80(2) of the PSC Act that was exempt from the age limit.
Auditor General Edward Ouko had also said the KRA boss was in office illegally in his audit report of June 30, 2017.
According to KRA, out of 30 candidates who beat the deadline to apply for the job, only two women showed interest in the job.
The taxman had hired the services of the audit firm, PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PwC), as recruitment consultants for the application exercise that closed on the 29th of April.
The new Commissioner-General will oversee the day-to-day operations of the authority, the management of its funds and property and for providing leadership to the authority’s staff.
He will also be tasked with responsibility of restoring integrity at the authority going by the events of the past few weeks.
In May, 38 Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) employees were arrested on suspicion of abetting tax evasion and money laundering. The suspects were arrested on May 10 at KRA Domestic Taxes and Customs and Border Control departments.
A Nairobi court heard on May 13 that information gathered and credible intelligence so far received showed that the suspects were actively involved and colluded with certain taxpayers in a criminal enterprise to evade payment of taxes or reduce tax liability.
Arthur Onyango in court appearance said the suspects' actions posed a great risk to the mainstay of the economy and therefore must be fully investigated.
- Expert: The shilling has regained value, but don't expect it to last
- Budget cuts loom for Parliament thanks to Sh9.6b Bunge Towers
- Firm linked to fake fertiliser calls for arrest of Linturi, NCPB boss