- Kenya Revenue Authority announced a leadership change, ending Humphrey Wattanga’s three-year tenure as Commissioner General
- Lilian Nyawanda was appointed Acting Commissioner General during the search for a permanent replacement
- President William Ruto nominated Wattanga to a new state job, awaiting parliamentary vetting and approval
Nairobi: The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced a sudden leadership change, with the tax collector’s board opting not to renew the contract of Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga.
Source: Twitter
Did Humphrey Wattanga exit KRA?
In a brief statement on April 8, 2026, the KRA board chairman, Ndiritu Muriithi, confirmed Wattanga would proceed on terminal leave with immediate effect.
The decision ends his three-year tenure at the helm of the agency responsible for collecting more than 90% of the Kenyan government’s recurrent budget.
“The Board takes this opportunity to commend the outgoing Commissioner General for his dedicated service and leadership to the Authority and the country. During his tenure, he played a key role in advancing the Authority’s mandate. Notably Wattanga has been instrumental in the successful organisational restructuring reforms at the Kenya Revenue Authority,” Muriithi stated.
In his place, the board appointed Lilian Nyawanda as the acting commissioner general as the revenue collector begins the search for a substantive commissioner general.
“In the interim, the board has appointed Lilian Nyawanda as the Acting Commissioner General, in line with the relevant statutory and policy provisions, pending the recruitment of a substantive Commissioner General through a competitive process,” the statement continued.
Shortly after the sudden KRA exit, President William Ruto nominated Wattanga as Kenya’s high commissioner to South Africa, Pretoria.
Other nominees are Julius Mbijiwe (ambassador to Vatican), Irene Maswan (London, UK) and Judy Muthoni Njau (Brussels, Belgium).
“In fulfilment of the constitutional imperatives on the appointment of state officers, His Excellency the President has caused the transmittal of the nominations to the National Assembly for consideration and approval by parliament,” stated Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei.
Source: Facebook
Who is Lilian Nyawanda?
Nyawanda holds a PhD and master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University in Minnesota, USA.
Currently serving at the KRA as the Commissioner of Customs and Border Control, Nyawanda joined the authority in 2003 as a revenue officer overseeing customs clearance and revenue collection, operations and administration.
She briefly exited in 2009 and returned in 2021 to head Customs and Border Control.
Between 2009 and 2021, she held various positions at Deloitte, East African Breweries Ltd and Diageo.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
