Kenya Revenue Authority replaces Humphrey Wattanga in leadership reshuffle

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced the replacement of its Commissioner General, Humphrey Wattanga, in an unexpected leadership transition that comes at a critical time for the country’s revenue mobilisation efforts.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the KRA Board confirmed that Wattanga’s contract would not be renewed. He has consequently proceeded on terminal leave with immediate effect, bringing an end to a tenure closely aligned with the fiscal reform agenda of William Ruto.

The Board, chaired by Ndiritu Muriithi, did not disclose specific reasons for the decision but acknowledged Wattanga’s contributions, particularly his role in driving organisational restructuring within the authority.

To ensure continuity, Lilian Nyawanda, currently serving as Commissioner of Customs and Border Control, has been appointed Acting Commissioner General pending the conclusion of a competitive recruitment process.

Wattanga, a Harvard-trained tax expert appointed in 2023, was tasked with strengthening revenue collection amid mounting fiscal pressures and rising public debt. His tenure marked a shift toward data-driven enforcement and operational efficiency, especially within the customs division—one of KRA’s most significant revenue channels.

However, his time in office also coincided with increasing pressure on the agency to meet ambitious revenue targets. Businesses and households have faced a challenging macroeconomic environment characterised by high tax burdens, slow growth, and rising living costs.

In recent months, the authority has drawn criticism from the private sector over stringent enforcement measures, while shortfalls in revenue performance have intensified scrutiny from policymakers and oversight institutions.

Nyawanda’s appointment signals a preference for internal continuity, given her oversight of customs and border operations—areas central to both revenue generation and trade facilitation. Her interim leadership is expected to provide insight into whether the authority will maintain its current enforcement strategy or recalibrate in response to growing concerns from the business community.

The leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment, as Kenya seeks to balance aggressive revenue mobilisation with the need to support economic stability and private sector growth.