KRA Names Lilian Nyawanda Acting Commissioner General After Humphrey Wattanga Exit

The Kenya Revenue Authority confirmed a leadership transition at the top on Wednesday. The board chose not to renew Humphrey Wattanga’s contract as commissioner general, ending his time at the head of the country’s main tax collection body.

In a short statement the board thanked Wattanga for his service. It highlighted his role in restructuring reforms and his dedication to the authority and the nation. Wattanga had held the position since August 2023 after a competitive recruitment process that gave him a three-year term.

Effective immediately Dr Lilian Nyawanda steps in as acting commissioner general. She will hold the post until the board completes recruitment for a permanent replacement. Nyawanda currently serves as commissioner for Customs and Border Control.

The board said the interim arrangement would allow the authority to keep its focus on effective and efficient service delivery. The statement stressed continuity while the search for a substantive commissioner general moves forward.

Wattanga’s departure marks the close of a period that saw several internal reforms aimed at streamlining operations and raising compliance levels. Before taking the top job he spent six years as vice chairperson of the Commission on Revenue Allocation.

The announcement came from KRA offices along Samia Park in Nairobi. No further details emerged on the reasons behind the non-renewal or on the timeline for the full recruitment process.

Nyawanda’s background in customs positions her to maintain day-to-day oversight across the authority’s core functions. Customs and Border Control handles a substantial share of government revenue from imports and trade-related taxes.

The commissioner general role carries overall responsibility for strategy, operations and revenue performance at KRA. The authority collects the bulk of national revenue used to fund public services and development projects.

Wednesday’s move arrives at a time when the tax body continues to face expectations around meeting collection targets and modernising systems. The board gave no indication of other senior changes in the immediate announcement.

Wattanga leaves after guiding the institution through a phase of internal adjustments. His tenure overlapped with efforts to improve efficiency in tax administration and border procedures.

The statement described Nyawanda’s appointment as an interim measure designed to ensure stability. It repeated the authority’s commitment to serving all Kenyans through reliable revenue collection and support services.

KRA operates as a semi-autonomous government agency under the National Treasury. Its leadership decisions often draw attention from businesses, policymakers and revenue analysts because of the direct impact on the national budget.

No additional comment came from Wattanga or Nyawanda in the initial release. The board framed the transition as a standard step once a contract reaches its natural end.

Operations at the authority are expected to continue without interruption. Staff and taxpayers were urged indirectly through the statement to maintain normal engagement with KRA processes during the changeover.

The development adds to the list of recent adjustments at senior levels in public institutions. Such shifts are common when fixed-term contracts expire and boards weigh renewal options against fresh leadership needs.

As of Wednesday evening the authority had not released further background on Nyawanda’s full career history beyond her current customs portfolio. The focus remained on the immediate handover and the promise of an open recruitment for the permanent post.