Summary
- KRA has announced the exit of Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga after declining to renew his contract
- Dr. Lilian Nyawanda has been appointed Acting Commissioner General with immediate effect
- The transition comes as the authority seeks a substantive replacement
NAIROBI, Kenya- The Kenya Revenue Authority has announced a sudden leadership transition after Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga exited office, with Dr. Lilian Nyawanda stepping in on an acting basis.
The move, confirmed by the KRA Board on April 8, 2026, comes after the authority declined to renew Wattanga’s contract, effectively ending his tenure at the helm of Kenya’s tax agency.
How the leadership transition at KRA unfolded
In a formal statement, the KRA Board confirmed Wattanga’s departure, praising his role in driving internal reforms.
“The KRA Board announces transition. Mr Humphrey Wattanga concludes his service as Commissioner General. We commend his leadership and instrumental role in our restructuring reforms,” the statement read.
Wattanga, who took office in August 2023 on a three-year contract, exits after overseeing key institutional changes aimed at improving efficiency and tax compliance.
With his term coming to an end, the Board opted not to extend his stay, triggering an immediate leadership shift.
Why Nyawanda has been tapped to steady the authority
To ensure continuity, the Board appointed Dr. Nyawanda—currently Commissioner of Customs and Border Control—as Acting Commissioner General.
Her appointment takes effect immediately and will remain in place until a substantive office holder is recruited.
KRA emphasized that the transition is meant to maintain stability within the institution while safeguarding ongoing operations, including revenue collection and tax administration.
Nyawanda is expected to oversee critical reforms already underway and ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
What this means for KRA and what comes next
The leadership change signals a broader restructuring effort within KRA as it seeks to strengthen institutional capacity.
In recent months, the authority has made additional internal appointments, including leadership changes in key departments to support operational efficiency.
The recruitment of a new Commissioner General is expected to be a high-stakes process, given the central role KRA plays in funding government operations.
Until then, Nyawanda will steer the agency through a transitional period, balancing reform implementation with the core mandate of revenue collection.
