The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has a new boss, Humphrey Wattanga Mulongo, who has been appointed as the Commissioner General.
Mulongo, a former member of the Commission of Revenue Allocation (CRA), will take over from Rispah Simiyu, who has been holding the position in an acting capacity since February.
According to a gazette notice issued by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u on August 22, Mulongo’s appointment became effective from August 22, 2023, and will last for three years.
Mulongo brings to KRA a wealth of experience in public finance and revenue management, having served as a member of CRA for six years. He was appointed to the commission by former President Uhuru Kenyatta on December 31, 2016.
CRA is a constitutional body that advises the national and county governments on revenue sharing and allocation, as well as monitors the implementation of fiscal policies and devolution.
Humphrey Wattanga will be expected to steer KRA towards achieving its revenue collection targets, which have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic slowdown.
He will also have to deal with the challenges of tax evasion, corruption and digital transformation in the tax administration system.
Mulongo replaces Githii Mburu, who resigned from KRA in February after serving as the Commissioner General for three years and seven months.
Mburu’s exit came amid a major shake-up at KRA that saw several heads of departments transferred or replaced.
KRA board chairman Anthony Mwaura said Mburu had resigned to pursue personal interests and thanked him for his service to the agency.
Mwaura also expressed confidence in Mulongo’s ability to lead KRA and deliver on its mandate. He said Mulongo was selected after a competitive and transparent recruitment process that involved external consultants.
