James Mburu replaces John Njiraini as KRA boss

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.

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.

Outgoing KRA Commissioner General John Njiraini.

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.