President William Ruto has moved swiftly to appoint the fired Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner-General, Humphrey Wattanga, as Kenya’s High Commissioner to South Africa.
The appointment comes shortly after Wattanga was fired at KRA, where he has been the commissioner-general.
Wattanga’s leadership at the KRA saw a focus on improving tax compliance, modernizing operations, and enhancing the authority’s revenue performance, contributing to stronger government coffers.
His experience managing a large, complex institution is expected to serve him well in his new diplomatic role.
In his capacity as High Commissioner, he will be responsible for strengthening Kenya’s bilateral relations with South Africa, promoting trade and investment opportunities, and representing Kenya’s interests in regional and international forums.
Observers note that the posting comes at a time when both countries are seeking to deepen economic and diplomatic ties, especially in areas of trade, tourism, and technology.
Analysts say the appointment reflects President Ruto’s preference for positioning experienced technocrats in key diplomatic roles, particularly where economic diplomacy is a priority. Wattanga, known for his analytical approach and administrative knowledge, is expected to leverage his skills to enhance Kenya’s engagement with South Africa, one of the continent’s largest economies.
The formal assumption of office is expected in the coming weeks, with Wattanga poised to transition from revenue management to representing Kenya on a broader international stage, a move that underscores the government’s focus on economic diplomacy.
Meanwhile, a section of lawyers led by Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi has questioned the rationale in the sacking and immediate reapportionment of the taxman.
Lawyer Ahmednasir shared his thought by seeking to understand why President William Ruto would sack someone for fraud-related reasons only to reappoint the same individual in another senior government department.