NAIROBI, Kenya—The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has initiated an internal audit of its ethnic composition to ensure fair representation across Kenya’s diverse communities.
KRA Board Chairperson Ndiritu Muriithi revealed on Tuesday that the board has directed management to present a staff audit report in the coming days.
Speaking in an interview, Muriithi—who previously served as governor of Laikipia—acknowledged past concerns over ethnic disparities in hiring at the tax agency and stressed the need for corrective measures.
“We have faced some challenges in the past, and I believe that’s what necessitated changes in leadership. However, a stumble is not a fall—we are back on track,” Muriithi said.
He explained that the audit will provide a clearer picture of KRA’s workforce composition, guiding future recruitment efforts to reflect national diversity.
A 2019 report submitted to the National Assembly’s National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity Committee exposed significant ethnic imbalances at the agency, particularly at the senior management level.
The findings showed that members of the Kikuyu community occupied nearly 38% of KRA’s top leadership, holding 50 out of 133 senior positions.
The rest of the slots were distributed among 41 ethnic groups, with Luhyas (19), Luos (16), and Kambas (13) forming the next largest representations.
Other communities, including Samburu, Maasai, and Burji, had only one member each in senior management.
Muriithi reaffirmed the board’s commitment to equity, stating that KRA must serve all Kenyans fairly.
He assured that future hiring would address any existing imbalances.
“We want an internal assessment of where we stand so that future recruitment can ensure fair representation,” he said.
The staff audit report is expected to be presented next Thursday, after which the board will determine the next steps.
KRA has faced longstanding criticism over perceived ethnic favoritism in hiring, a concern raised repeatedly in public service institutions.
The ongoing review is expected to shed light on the extent of the issue and pave the way for reforms aimed at making the agency more inclusive.
