KRA draws up three year blueprint for new tax chief
It speaks volumes about the incoming Kenya Revenue Authority boss’ regard for privacy that little about him can be found on the increasingly intrusive social media.
Yet, as he sets on the task of laying out a strategic plan for his three-year renewable term, John Karani Njiraini is under no illusions that his actions will be among the most watched in Kenya.
Work on the strategic plan to be launched at the beginning of the fiscal year 2012/13 in July starts this week with two workshops that will define the basic framework of the plan for the revenue body.
The Treasury and KRA last week pulled the rug from under the feet of interest groups opposed to the appointment of an insider as commissioner-general, clearing the way for the former Institute of Certified Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) chief executive to succeed his one-time chairman at the industry lobby group.
Before his appointment to the top job, Mr Njiraini was the KRA Domestic Taxes Department-Large Tax Payers Office (LTO) commissioner. He is in a few weeks expected to use the VIP lift from his 23rd floor Times Tower office to shift to the 30th floor when outgoing commissioner general Michael Waweru leaves office by March 4 at the conclusion of his third term.
But his stay there may be haunted by the Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) lobby group and Rangwe MP Martin Ogindo who have promised to push on with efforts to have the position subjected to public and parliamentary scrutiny.
Cofek on Friday was told by High Court Judge Isaac Leonala to amend its petition seeking to stop the recruitment after it had been overtaken by events. Mr Ogindo told the Business Daily that he would push through his proposal to amend the Kenya Revenue Act to provide for the vetting of the commissioner-general before assuming office.
In Kenya, however, the law can not be applied retrospectively. “It is very unfortunate that the law is being exploited to deny Kenyans participation in the important process,” said Mr Ogindo, adding that he is drafting a similar Bill for vetting of the Central Bank of Kenya governor.
Opposition to Mr Njiraini’s appointment appeared not to be driven by issues about his performance. In August last year, Njiraini — who lectured in the Commerce faculty at the University of Nairobi between 1984 and 1994 — emerged ahead of the pack in interviews for the Controller of Budget.
“Mr Njiraini is beyond reproach and has capacity for the job but he needed support from all Kenyans,” said Mr Ogindo. “I’m sure he would have passed parliamentary vetting because MPs would not have brought personal issues.”
Mr Njiraini has in the past pushed to have MPs pay taxes as provided for in the Constitution. He undertook the task as the head of LTO, a move that rubbed MPs the wrong way as they were opposed to the move.
However, thanks to his relentless pursuit, the payments were made through the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC). Indeed, his demeanour in the issue much defines the character of the man - pushing many within KRA to opine that outgoing Mr Waweru could have outsourced the job to the most suitable man to deal with the politicians.
“He is overly strict and uncompromising but he rewards genuine hard work in his department,” said a staff member who can’t be named commenting on his future boss.
There may be a good reason for not appending his name to such opinions - the chief of auditors has chaired the KRA Staff Disciplinary Committee since September 2011.
“It is a difficult thing to understand when people say things like I am unapproachable,” says Mr Njiraini, an alumnus of Kerugoya and Kakamega high schools.
“If someone asks me to do something I have to look at whether it fits the rules as I would not just bend to wishes of vested interests.”
Still, he remains a mystique figure at Times Tower where reportedly not many seem to interact with him despite his stating that he was always open to listening to complaints. So much of an enigma that the most media writers could get about his academic life from the Internet was on his first degree at the University of Nairobi.
Mr Njiraini said he values his privacy although that is increasingly difficult with his growing public profile.
Confidence that he can get the job done, however, is shared by both his opponents and supporters.
“He is very intelligent,” said ICPAK CEO Caroline Kigen who was the chair of the Public Service Commission panel that interviewed applicants for the job of Controller of Budget before the two principals opted for the fourth-placed candidate.
ICPAK credits his 10-year tenure at the institute, one of which he served as a technical director before becoming chief executive, for the acquisition of its Ruaraka premises which has since hosted a business college besides establishing campuses around Nairobi.
“From the perspective of ICPAK, he is cut for the job after understudying Mr Waweru,” Ms Kigen said.
Born John Karimi on December 20, 1957 in Kirinyaga, Mr Njiraini attained a first class honours Bachelors of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi in 1980 before acquiring an MBA from the same university in 1983.
