Revealing what led to Githii Mburu’s resignation as KRA boss

Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner General Githii Mburu’s resignation has come as a shock to many because the man has been credited with turning around the tax agency from one riddled with corruption and inefficiency to a better entity serving the public.



Those familiar with the goings-on at Times Tower give testimony to a rein that had positives and challenges in, almost, equal measure. His tenure was characterized, not just, by significant progress in increasing tax compliance and collections but also controversy, including allegations of corruption and misuse of power.



So what really led to Mburu’s departure?



Kurunzi understands that the Kenya Kwanza administration of President William Ruto may have influenced Mburu to step down to facilitate the now-common trend of the Head of State appointing his own people to head different public institutions. According to sources, Mburu, having been appointed former President Uhuru Kenyatta, could not be trusted by the Ruto regime so he had to be shown the door without being sacked.



Azimio leader Raila Odinga has been very critical of Ruto’s government, claiming Ruto is giving preference to his own tribesmen for top government jobs. Odinga maintains it is unfair and unjust to isolate other communities but Ruto hears none of that, insisting he is only looking to appoint the most qualified individuals to government positions, regardless of their tribal affiliation.



Anxiety over weaponization



Before his appointment in July 2019, Mburu was a long-time insider at the tax authority’s audit and intelligence units. His initial three-year term was extended by two years, and he was set to serve in the role until June 2024. His exit without clear explanation has left the business community anxious for fear that KRA is more likely to be weaponized against those perceived to be critical of the Ruto State House.



Mburu’s appointment was seen as a move to clean up corruption at the agency, and, yes, he was widely credited with spearheading several reforms that increased tax revenues and helped Kenya avoid a debt crisis. But, his tenure had allegations of double standards in pursuing non-compliance with tax regulations to contend with, many a time facing the heat for turning a blind eye to corruption within the agency.



His departure is as contentious as it was on August 2020 when former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani extended Mburu’s term in a gazette notice which amended the term of office for the CG to five years. This was illegal because it was done without consulting with the parliamentary committee on finance as required by law.



Kenya Kwanza luminaries, then out of the government, shouted their vocals hoarse in vain but one wonders why today they have looked the other side as the government braces to use the same executive authority to appoint a new tax sheriff at Times Tower.



Who comes in to succeed Mburu remains a mystery but what remains certain, at least from reliable sources, is that the his resignation was due to differences with the government over the rate of tax collection.



“Mburu was said to be pushing for a more aggressive tax collection regime, while the government was reportedly more concerned about the economic impact of high taxes and this disagreement is the needle that broke the camel’s back and there was only one loser – him,” the source that preferred anonymity told Kurunzi.