Former Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga has denied claims that he was fired, stating that his exit from the authority was undertaken in line with the terminal leave provisions of his contract and did not amount to a dismissal.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee on May 14, Wattanga explained that his contract allowed him to proceed on terminal leave prior to its expiry.
“My contract runs until August this year. There is a provision allowing an incumbent to proceed on terminal leave if the contract will not be renewed. I am currently on leave and have already been paid for that period,” he said.
On April 8, the tax authority announced changes to its board, officially removing Wattanga before the expiry of his tenure.
Wattanga Faces Tough Questions Over KRA Exit, and Vetting Delay
The Kenya’s nominee for High Commissioner to Ottawa, Canada, was also questioned over his request to postpone his vetting.
He had initially been scheduled to appear before the committee on April 27, 2026, but wrote to Parliament requesting a postponement of the vetting.
In his defense, Wattanga told the committee that the short timeline between his exit from KRA and the vetting process made a structured handover necessary.
He argued that the Commissioner General’s office carries extensive responsibilities that require proper transition before shifting focus to the approval process.
MPs further questioned his CV, citing what they described as frequent job changes and short tenures in several positions.
The lawmakers asked him to account for his professional trajectory and its implications for the continuity of public service.
On performance at KRA, Wattanga told the committee that revenue collection had improved under his leadership, stating that the authority collected KSh 2.04 trillion in the nine months to March 2026 against a target of KSh 2.97 trillion for the financial year, with projected growth exceeding KSh 2.8 trillion and an overall increase of 11.1 percent.
Also Read: Leadership Changes at KRA as Humphrey Wattanga Sent on Immediate Terminal Leave
How Ex-KRA Boss Will Boost Kenya’s Export to Canada
Legislators also pressed him on Kenya’s trade imbalance with Canada, seeking clarity on how he would expand exports if confirmed.
Wattanga acknowledged the deficit, noting that Canada exported about USD 160 million worth of goods to Kenya in 2025, while Kenya exported approximately USD 58 million.
He attributed the imbalance to limited market penetration and overreliance on primary exports such as tea and coffee, proposing a shift toward value-added goods, technology services, education, and digital economy partnerships to boost Kenya’s earnings.
Wattanga further said Kenya could deepen collaboration with Canada in ICT, noting opportunities for Kenyan youth in digital services and related industries to increase employment and remittance inflows.
Also Read: Meet Humphrey Wattanga Mulongo, the New KRA Commissioner General
Simplified CV of Humphrey Wattanga
When he was announced as the KRA boss in 2023, his CV caught the attention of many, who marveled at his stellar credentials. Let’s dive into his C.V:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Education (Secondary) | Alliance High School; Ranked top KCSE candidate (1990); Dr Ouko Award for Academic Excellence |
| Undergraduate | Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemical Sciences, Harvard University |
| Postgraduate | MBA, University of Pennsylvania |
| Early Career (1991) | Accounts Intern, East Africa Industries (UNILEVER), Nairobi |
| Research Experience (1996–1997) | Cancer Research Laboratory Technician, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center – Harvard Medical School, USA |
| Consulting Experience (1999) | Finance Consultant, World Health Organization, Geneva |
| US Corporate Roles (2001–2002) | Product Marketing & Business Development Manager, SBC Communications (AT&T), USA; Marketing Strategy & Business Development Manager, Agillion Inc, USA |
| Investment & Advisory (2004–2017) | Senior Partner, Afcorp Investments, Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Public Service (2017–2022) | Commissioner & Vice Chairperson, Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA), Kenya |
| Managing Director Role | Meghraj Capital Limited |
| KRA Leadership | 7th Commissioner-General of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) from August 22, 2023, to April 8, 2026 |
| Diplomatic Appointment | Nominated as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Pretoria, South Africa (April 8, 2026) |
