High Court Petition Clouds Adan Mohamed’s Swearing-In as New KRA Boss
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Supreme Court of Kenya on Tuesday, May 20, marked the beginning of Mohamed’s three-year tenure at the helm of the country’s tax authority. His appointment was made by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi through a special gazette notice issued a day earlier.
The ceremony attracted senior government officials and top figures within KRA, including Board Chairman Ndiritu Muriithi, who presided over part of the transition process as the authority seeks continuity in revenue collection and tax reforms.
However, even as Mohamed formally assumed office, a petition filed before the High Court threatened to cast a shadow over the appointment, raising constitutional and legal concerns over his eligibility to hold public office.
The petitioner is questioning whether Mohamed qualifies for appointment under existing public service regulations, particularly on the issue of mandatory retirement age for state officers.
According to court documents, public records indicate Mohamed was born in December 1963, placing him at approximately 62 years old. The petition argues that this exceeds the retirement threshold provided under Regulation 70 of the Public Service Commission Regulations, which sets the retirement age for public officers at 60 years.
The petition further claims that no lawful exemption or special circumstances were cited to justify the appointment beyond the retirement age.
“The appointment is unlawful and void from the outset as it contravenes mandatory provisions governing public service appointments,” part of the petition reportedly states.
The court has since directed both parties to file their responses, legal submissions, and supporting authorities ahead of the scheduled hearing set for May 27.
Despite the unfolding legal battle, Mohamed’s supporters within government have defended the appointment, citing his extensive experience in public administration, trade, and economic policy.
His return to government now comes at a crucial period for KRA as the authority seeks to meet ambitious revenue collection targets amid mounting fiscal pressure, rising public debt, and increased scrutiny over taxation policies.
Mohamed is also expected to oversee the continued digitisation of tax systems, enforcement of customs regulations, and expansion of electronic tax monitoring platforms.
Analysts say his appointment signals the government’s intention to place experienced technocrats at the centre of revenue administration as Treasury intensifies efforts to finance government expenditure without excessive borrowing.
Still, the pending court battle now threatens to create uncertainty around the leadership transition at one of Kenya’s most critical state agencies.
For now, however, Adan Mohamed officially assumes office with both the weight of Kenya’s revenue expectations and an active legal challenge hanging over his tenure.A fresh legal and political storm has emerged around the leadership of the Kenya Revenue Authority after Adan Mohamed was officially sworn in as the new Commissioner General amid an active court petition challenging his appointment.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Supreme Court of Kenya on Tuesday, May 20, marked the beginning of Mohamed’s three-year tenure at the helm of the country’s tax authority. His appointment was made by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi through a special gazette notice issued a day earlier.
Mohamed now takes over from former Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga, who recently exited the agency following his appointment as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Australia by President William Ruto.
The ceremony attracted senior government officials and top figures within KRA, including Board Chairman Ndiritu Muriithi, who presided over part of the transition process as the authority seeks continuity in revenue collection and tax reforms.
However, even as Mohamed formally assumed office, a petition filed before the High Court threatened to cast a shadow over the appointment, raising constitutional and legal concerns over his eligibility to hold public office.
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The petitioner is questioning whether Mohamed qualifies for appointment under existing public service regulations, particularly on the issue of mandatory retirement age for state officers.
The petition further claims that no lawful exemption or special circumstances were cited to justify the appointment beyond the retirement age.
“The appointment is unlawful and void from the outset as it contravenes mandatory provisions governing public service appointments,” part of the petition reportedly states.
The court has since directed both parties to file their responses, legal submissions, and supporting authorities ahead of the scheduled hearing set for May 27.
Despite the unfolding legal battle, Mohamed’s supporters within government have defended the appointment, citing his extensive experience in public administration, trade, and economic policy.
His return to government now comes at a crucial period for KRA as the authority seeks to meet ambitious revenue collection targets amid mounting fiscal pressure, rising public debt, and increased scrutiny over taxation policies.
Under the new 2026/2027 budget framework, the government has projected tax revenue collection of nearly Ksh3 trillion, placing enormous pressure on the authority to widen the tax base and improve compliance.
Mohamed is also expected to oversee the continued digitisation of tax systems, enforcement of customs regulations, and expansion of electronic tax monitoring platforms.
Analysts say his appointment signals the government’s intention to place experienced technocrats at the centre of revenue administration as Treasury intensifies efforts to finance government expenditure without excessive borrowing.
Still, the pending court battle now threatens to create uncertainty around the leadership transition at one of Kenya’s most critical state agencies.
For now, however, Adan Mohamed officially assumes office with both the weight of Kenya’s revenue expectations and an active legal challenge hanging over his tenure.
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High Court Petition Clouds Adan Mohamed’s Swearing-In as New KRA Boss
