Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga has been dismissed from his position following allegations of graft, marking a dramatic turn at the helm of the country’s tax administration body.
The decision, announced by the government on Wednesday, comes amid mounting pressure to restore integrity and accountability within Kenya Revenue Authority.
According to official statements, Wattanga’s removal follows investigations into alleged irregular dealings and abuse of office, which raised serious concerns about transparency in revenue collection and management. While details of the allegations remain limited, authorities indicated that the move was necessary to safeguard public trust and reinforce ongoing anti-corruption efforts.
Wattanga, who had been tasked with steering #KRA through a period of increased revenue targets and digital transformation, now exits under a cloud of controversy. His tenure had seen aggressive tax enforcement measures aimed at boosting collections, but critics argued that internal accountability mechanisms needed strengthening.
The government has since moved to appoint an acting Commissioner General as it begins the process of identifying a substantive replacement. Officials emphasized that the transition is intended to ensure continuity in operations while reforms are implemented to tighten oversight and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The development adds to a growing list of high-profile actions targeting corruption in public institutions, signaling a renewed push by authorities to confront graft. Analysts say the outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for governance standards and investor confidence in Kenya’s public sector.