Ex-KRA boss Wattanga defends exit, dismisses claims he was fired
By Emmanuel Rono, May 15, 2026Former Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga has dismissed claims that he was fired from the authority, explaining that his exit before the end of his term was in line with the provisions of the contract.
Speaking while appearing before the National Assembly’s Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, May 14, 2026, Wattanga was asked to explain the circumstances surrounding his exit from the tax agency.
Wattanga, who served as KRA Commissioner General from August 2023 to April 2026, was repeatedly pressed by MPs to clarify whether he left the tax agency normally, was forced out, or strategically exited ahead of the end of his contract.
“My contract runs until August this year. There is a provision allowing an incumbent to proceed on terminal leave if the contract is not going to be renewed. I am currently on leave and have already been paid for that period,” he said.
Inside KRA operations
His explanation was, however, met with further scrutiny from lawmakers who sought to understand why a key accounting officer would leave office months before the end of a critical fiscal cycle.
MPs also linked his delayed vetting appearance to his transition from KRA, after he requested a postponement of his approval hearing, citing the need to complete what he described as a structured handover process at the authority.
Wattanga defended the decision, saying the short window between his exit and vetting, about 10 days necessitated his continued attention to KRA operations.
MP Abdi also questioned the nominee over what he termed frequent job changes reflected in his curriculum vitae.
“You appear not to stay long in positions. Several jobs lasted only a year, while others lasted only months. What explains the frequent movement?” Abdi stated.
Postponement of vetting exercise
The committee, chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech, also questioned Wattanga over his decision to seek the postponement of his vetting exercise.
The former KRA Commissioner General had initially been scheduled to appear before the committee on April 27, but later wrote to Parliament requesting more time, citing the need to complete the transition process at the tax authority.
“You wrote to Parliament asking for the vetting to be postponed. We have never had a nominee appointed by the President request Parliament to delay an approval hearing. What informed that decision?” Yusuf Abdi asked.
MP Koech further challenged Wattanga to outline his legacy at KRA, particularly in revenue collection. Wattanga told the committee that revenue performance had improved significantly under his tenure.
“For the nine months ending March 2026, KRA had already collected Ksh 2.04 trillion. The target for the financial year is Ksh 2.97 trillion, and we are on course to surpass Ksh 2.8 trillion. Revenue growth currently stands at 11.1 per cent,” he stated.