With less than three months left to the expiry of the chief taxman term in office, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) will from next week embark on a search for a new successor.
The authority has announced that it will conduct interviews to replace the top tax man together with other two top positions that will fall vacant come March 3 and April.
Late November 2011, the Authority advertised for the positions of Commissioner General, Commissioner of Domestic Taxes and Commissioner of Customs Services, which are are currently headed by Michael Waweru, John Njiraini and Wambui Namu respectively.
The race for the top tax job will this time include and outsider, The Barclays Bank Managing Director Adan A Mohamed who will battle it out with other six insiders in the contest.
The other six shortlisted candidates to battle it out for the General’s post include John Njiraini, Wambui Namu, Ms Helen W Bila, Commissioner, Support Services , Alice Achieng Owuor, Commissioner of Domestic Revenue,James R Njuguna, and James Gituro Wahome from the board.
Holding the position for the last eight years, Waweru’s retirement comes at a time when President Kibaki who appointed him when he came to power is also packing to end his two terms in office. Kibaki renewed Waweru’s term in 2009 after it expired.
Njiraini will be heading for yet another open interview in a different post after fairing well in the race for the controller of budget conducted last year. Njiraini’s term in office will end in April this year.
The post of Commissioner of Domestic Taxes has attracted eight contestants who have also been shortlisted by the board. Pancrasius N. Nyagah, Edith N. King’ori,Simon Peter Ole Nkeri , Josephat Omondi, David Namu Kariuki, Chris K Chepkoit, Charles K. Tanui, and Patrice M. Odude will contest for the post.
Meanwhile those vying for the position of Customes services are Kevin L. Safari ,Ruth W. Wachira, Gabriel M. Kitenga, and Jonah Kipngetich.
Only three will make it through the interview for the top post and will be submitted to the Minister for Finance for final appointment stage.
The final two commissioners will serve for a maximum of two three-year term period as per the current rules. The first to operate under the rule were Former Support Services head Mumo Matemu and Simeon ole Kirgotty
