NAIROBI, Kenya — The National Assembly of Kenya has scheduled May 14, 2026, for the vetting of former Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner General Humphrey Mulongo Wattanga, who has been nominated as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Canada.
In a formal notice, the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations said it will conduct the approval hearing at 10:00 a.m. in the Mini Chamber, County Hall, Parliament Buildings, in line with constitutional requirements governing public appointments.
“It is now officially notified that pursuant to Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution and Section 6(4) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, the Committee will conduct the approval hearing,” the notice reads.
The process is part of Parliament’s oversight role under the Constitution of Kenya 2010, which mandates public participation and scrutiny in senior state appointments, including diplomatic postings.
Parliament has invited members of the public to submit memoranda on Wattanga’s suitability. Submissions must be made in writing, under oath, and supported by evidence, and should be addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly. The deadline for submissions is May 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
The nominee is required to appear before the committee with original identification documents, academic and professional certificates, and testimonials.
He must also provide compliance clearances from key state agencies, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Higher Education Loans Board, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, the Commission for University Education, and a licensed Credit Reference Bureau.
Wattanga’s nomination follows the end of his tenure at KRA, where he served as Commissioner General from August 2023. In a statement dated April 8, 2026, the tax authority confirmed it would not renew his contract, placing him on terminal leave. Commissioner of Customs and Border Control Dr Lilian Nyawanda assumed the role in an acting capacity.
Before joining KRA, Wattanga served as Managing Director of Meghraj Capital Group, leading investment banking advisory work across East Africa, including mergers and acquisitions and capital raising.
He also held the position of Commissioner and Vice Chair at the Commission on Revenue Allocation, where he oversaw revenue system reforms and development of county revenue frameworks until December 2022.
His nomination to the diplomatic post in Ottawa comes amid ongoing reshuffles in Kenya’s foreign service, where appointments are subject to parliamentary vetting to ensure integrity, competence, and compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.
The committee’s report will inform the House’s decision on whether to approve or reject the nomination, shaping Kenya’s diplomatic representation in Canada.
