KRA Commissioners: The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has appointed two commissioners as part of an ongoing leadership capacity enhancement programme. KRA Commissioner General Githii Mburu, in a statement, confirmed that the board led by Ambassador Francis K. Muthaura had appointed Ms Lilian Anyango Nyawanda as Commissioner of Customs and Border Control and Dr Edward Kinyua Karanja as Commissioner of Investigation and Enforcement.
Mr Mburu said that the two roles are key pillars in delivering KRA’s vision. “At KRA, we are pleased to welcome aboard Commissioners Ms Lilian Anyango Nyawanda and Dr. Edward Kinyua Karanja in their new roles, which are crucial leadership appointments. The two leaders will play a key role in spearheading and sustaining revenue mobilization and institutional transformation agenda,” Mr Mburu said.
Lilian Nyawanda’s Rose From Graduate Trainee
Prior to her appointment as Commissioner Customs and Border Control, Ms Lilian Anyango Nyawanda served as the Customs and Excise Manager of Africa Region at the Diageo Centre of Excellence overseeing the customs governance, risk management and international trade operations.
Ms Nyawanda brings to KRA a broad wealth of experience gained from public sector, private sector and academia in customs and international trade matters both within the East Africa region and Africa in general. She has broad experience in customs administration, policy and legislation having been part of various legislative reviews and changes.
In September 2009, she moved to Deloitte East Africa Limited as a Senior Consultant for Customs & International Trade. In May 2012, Ms. Nyawanda was appointed as the Customs & Bonds Manager at the EABL in charge of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and South Sudan.
In January 2014, Ms Nyawanda was appointed as the Customs and Tax Manager at EABL with the role of strategic advisor on customs and cross-border transaction matters. In 2019, she moved to Diageo Centre of Excellence to oversee the customs governance, risk management and international trade operations across Africa.
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Ms. Nyawanda holds a Master of Business Administration (Strategic Management) degree from United States International University and a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) degree from University of Nairobi. She has a Certificate in Customs and Tax Administration from the Kenya School of Revenue Administration (KESRA).
Dr Edward Karanja – KRA Insider
On his part, Dr Edward Kinyua Karanja is currently the Acting Commissioner of Investigation and Enforcement in addition to his substantive role as the Deputy Commissioner – Investigation and Enforcement, a position he has held since 2019.
Dr Karanja has a wealth of experience in tax investigations and has significantly contributed towards reforms geared towards countering tax evasion and building confidence in tax systems. He has instituted investigations that have led to recovery of taxes.
Dr Karanja joined KRA in 1992 as Assessor II (Special Unit Income Tax) and served until 1997, when he became Principal Revenue Officer – Head of Audit Large Taxpayers Office (LTO).
From the year 2000 to 2002, Dr. Karanja served as Assistant Commissioner/Audit Manager – Head Office. In 2005, Dr. Karanja was appointed Assistant Commissioner – Policy Unit Technical.
Dr Karanja has a wealth of experience in tax investigations.
From 2007 to 2010, Dr Karanja was the Manager in charge of the Tax Policy Unit within the Large Taxpayers Office (LTO) until he was promoted to Senior Assistant Commissioner in charge of the Manufacturing Sector in LTO.
From 2013 to 2014, Dr. Karanja served as the Manager in charge of Investigations and Enforcement, Domestic Taxes Department. In 2015, he was moved to the Investigations and Enforcement Department as a Chief Manager.
Dr Karanja was appointed Deputy Commissioner, Investigations and Enforcement Department, in 2019 and currently the Acting Commissioner for the Department.
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Dr. Karanja holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Washington International University (WIU); a Master of Business Administration (Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management) from United States International University; Master of Arts in Public Finance from Grips University, Tokyo, Japan and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Mathematics from Egerton University. He is a Member of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) and a member of Kenya Institute of Management.
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