Treasury CS appoints five new KRA board members
By Alvin.Mwangi, January 16, 2023President William Ruto has effected changes within the leadership of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) board
National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary, Njuguna Ndung’u, has announced the appointment of five new members to the Board of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
According to a gazette notice the CS has revoked appointment of five members of the KRA board replacing them with Darshan Shah, Wilkister Simiyu, Fancy Too, Michael Kamau Kamiru, Samir Ibrahim.
Through a gazette notice dated January 12, Ndung’u said that the appointments were made in exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 (2) (e) of the Kenya Revenue Authority Act, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act.
Njuguna announced the revocation of the appointments of Charles Makori Omanga, Richard Opembe, Mukesh Shah, Susan Mudhune, and Leonard Ithau.
Revenue collection
The new appointments at KRA appear to be in line with the President William Ruto’s proposal of having the taxman increase the revenue collection.
The head of state has on several occasions said that the taxman must expand the tax base by ensuring every eligible taxpayer is brought on board to pay their due share. At the same time, Gen. (Rtd.) Joseph Kibwana has been axed as the Chairperson of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Board.
The former military officer will be replaced by former Kinango MP Benjamin Tayari, who will hold the office for three years. National Treasury has set President Ruto’s first budget at Sh3.64 trillion as he builds his economic legacy that promises to create jobs for millions of the poor, putting the board under a lot of pressure.
The 2022 Budget Review and Outlook Paper (BROP) contains a budget that is Sh3.64 trillion, which is higher than the Sh3.55 trillion provided in the earlier estimate.
Njuguna has also appointed former Salaries and Remuneration (SRC) boss Sarah Serem as the chair Board of Directors of the Kenya Post Office Savings Bank for three years.
President Ruto has also appointed seven as members of a selection panel mandated to pick nominees to be appointed to the National Police Service Commission.
They include Arthur A. Osiya, Joyce Nyabuti, Gilbert Chabari Mutembei, Monica Muiru, Raymond Plal Sangsang Nyeris, Joyce M. Mutinda and Mbeti Mchuki.
In addition, the president has also listed the names of eight others who will form the selection panel tasked with nominating members to the National Gender Equality Commission.
Veterinary board
They are Mary W. Kimonye, Reuben Chirchir, Oscar Eredi, Alice Waguthi Kinyua, Mary Mwiandi, Steven Oundo (Arch.), Mucha Mlingo and Michael Munene. Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi has also gazetted new members of the Kenya Veterinary Board.
The new appointees are John Demesi Mande, Samwel Mugo, Joan Akumu Magero, Jafred M. A. Kitaa, Cathryn Wanjiru Wanjohi, Derrick Chibeu, Benson Oduor, Ameda Oreste, Karanja Kuria, Queereenuse Pacho Oluoch, Mumina Guyo Shibia, Isaac Lekolol, Samson Muthuri M’Tuaruchiu and Sarah Kapkarich.