The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Board has announced the appointment of Adan Mohamed as the substantive Commissioner General of the authority with immediate effect.

In a statement signed by KRA Board Chairman Ndiriitu Muriithi on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the board said the appointment followed a competitive recruitment process and formed part of its ongoing programme aimed at strengthening institutional leadership, accelerating revenue mobilisation, and deepening taxpayer trust.

The KRA Board appoints Mr Adan Mohamed, EGH, as Commissioner General. The Board of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has appointed Mr Adan Mohamed, EGH, as the substantive Commissioner General of the Authority with immediate effect,” KRA’s statement read

According to the KRA Board, while unveiling the appointment of Mohamed to the Authority’s top management, the new Commissioner General brings with him the depth of experience and strategic insight required to lead the institution through its next phase of transformation.

The Board also expressed appreciation to Lilian Nyawanda, noting that she had held the authority together as acting commissioner general during the transition period and would now return to her substantive role as commissioner for Customs and Border Control.

Welcoming Adan to the commission

The Board further stated that it was pleased to welcome Adan Mohamed to lead the Kenya Revenue Authority, adding that his track record in banking, management consulting, and public service was exceptional and that his contribution to economic reform in Kenya was well documented.

Confidence was expressed that steady, results-driven leadership would be provided as the authority works to mobilise revenue for national development.

Sincere gratitude was also extended to Dr Nyawanda for stepping up to lead the authority in an acting capacity, noting that dedication, professionalism, and leadership during the transition had been invaluable and that continued contribution to the customs and border control docket was highly anticipated.

Mohamed is said to join the KRA with over three decades of leadership experience spanning the financial services sector, management consulting, public service, and corporate governance.

Who is Adan

The Board further noted that previous service included being Cabinet Secretary for Industrialisation, Trade and Cooperatives between 2013 and 2018 and later Cabinet Secretary for the East African Community and Regional Development.

During the tenure in the industrialisation docket, Kenya’s Doing Business reform programme was led, which improved the country’s ranking from position 136 in 2014 to 56 in 2018 on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business index.

The Kenya Industrial Transformation Programme (KITP) and Kenya’s first trade policy were also spearheaded, alongside a brief role as acting Cabinet secretary for agriculture, livestock and fisheries in 2015.

Adan’s carrier journey

Prior to public service, service as Chief Administrative Officer for Barclays Africa was undertaken, overseeing ten Barclays Bank subsidiaries across the continent.

Earlier roles included chief executive officer of Barclays Kenya for over a decade and managing director of Barclays East and West Africa. Under the leadership period, Barclays Kenya won the Banker Awards in 2009.

A professional career began at PricewaterhouseCoopers in London, where training as a chartered accountant was undertaken, followed by work in management consultancy and business advisory services. Early consulting experience also included a three-year posting at Shell in Nigeria.

Membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) is held.

Academic qualifications

Academic qualifications include a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School and a first-class honours degree in commerce (accounting option) from the University of Nairobi. Secondary education was completed at Kangaru High School in Embu, while early schooling was undertaken at Elwak Primary School in Mandera County, where birth took place.