BY JOHN GICHERU KAMAU
On a historic Friday evening, the country witnessed not just one but two monumental events: one highlighting political change and another as a dedication to matters of economic significance.
In a ceremony full of promise, a new Deputy President of Kenya was sworn into office - a moment that has inscribed its niche in the political history of this nation.
Meanwhile, few minutes later, the Kenya Revenue Authority wrapped up its Taxpayers Month — a campaign dedicated to honouring the contributions of Kenya’s taxpayers and celebrating the hard work of KRA staff who ensure the flow of revenue.
The occasion at State House saw KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga take the stage, his voice resonating with pride as he called upon the KRA staff present to stand and be acknowledged.
“Your contribution towards this country and your unwavering service make a difference every single day,” he declared.
President William Ruto, seated nearby, beamed and joined the applause, clapping enthusiastically for the team.
The room was filled with smiles and pride, a rare moment of collective happiness and recognition in an institution that often bears the weight of the nation’s economic expectations.
It also depicted leadership quality and appreciation by the commissioner general.
Yet, beyond the applause lies a more complex, high-stakes struggle within KRA customs, driven by commissioner of customs’s resolve to root out corruption and reshape the department for accountability.
Since assuming office, Commissioner Lilian Nyawanda has been on a mission to reform a department historically plagued by corruption.
Her reforms target various areas of customs operations, introducing oversight mechanisms, accountability and efficiency where personal discretion and autonomy once ruled.
However, dismantling an entrenched system is rarely straightforward, and her push for reform has triggered a fierce backlash from those seeking to preserve the status quo.
One of the most contentious reforms has been the centralisation of consignment release.
Previously decentralised, this process allowed goods clearance to be handled at numerous customs points, enabling inconsistencies and manipulations.
By shifting this authority to a central point, the commissioner aims to close the loopholes that have allowed unchecked corruption and create a uniform, standardised process.
Yet, this reform has encountered fierce opposition, particularly from staff in the southern region.
In a disturbing demonstration of resistance, some of the officers, collaborating with traders invested in maintaining a loose regulatory framework, have resorted to manipulating Kenya’s legal processes to derail these changes.
In fact, this resistance has taken on an almost orchestrated quality, with those opposed to centralisation financing bloggers and fringe media to discredit the commissioner publicly, aiming to turn public opinion against her reforms.
When it became clear that Commissioner Nyawanda’s determination was unwavering, the same forces escalated their pushback, funding a court case against her.
By turning to the judicial system, these individuals hope to impede her progress, leveraging Kenya’s legal mechanisms as a tool for obstruction rather than justice.
The manipulation of the court system to block reforms is not merely a legal hurdle—it exemplifies the lengths to which corrupt networks will go to protect their interests and resist accountability.
Another vital reform has been tightening the verification process.
Previously, customs officers could inspect and release goods based on personal discretion, which created countless opportunities for corruption.
Now, mandatory supervision and accountability requirements ensure cross-checked inspections, closing the door on corrupt practices that once flourished.
However, many officers who benefited from the flexibility of the old system view these changes as restrictive and have voiced their objections, further fuelling internal resistance.
Commissioner Nyawanda has also aimed to reshape KRA customs by promoting a merit-based culture.
By aligning promotions with performance, she seeks to dismantle networks that previously thrived on favouritism and connections.
While this reform strives to encourage transparency, it has stirred resistance among those who once rose through the ranks without accountability.
Despite this backlash, Commissioner Nyawanda’s efforts appear to be yielding results.
In the first four months of the current fiscal year, KRA customs collected Sh288.1 billion — a 13 per cent increase over the previous year.
October’s performance alone exceeded the Treasury’s targets, suggesting that Nyawanda’s reforms are driving measurable improvements.
However, as these revenue increases show, the work of reforming KRA customs is slow and incremental, marked by small victories in a landscape fraught with legal, public and internal opposition.
A more insidious form of resistance comes from well-entrenched corruption cartels.
These networks extend beyond KRA and involve traders who work with specific customs officers to expedite their goods, circumventing rules in exchange for bribes.
Officers who attempt to enforce the new standards and disrupt these networks face backlash and orchestrated public attacks.
Media platforms, often sensationalist and hungry for controversy, are leveraged to defame these honest officers.
In one audacious incident, an officer recently transferred as part of the commissioner’s restructuring brazenly declared himself “untouchable,” backed by influential allies determined to undermine reform efforts.
Despite the deep challenges, the October surplus over Treasury targets serves as a glimmer of hope.
It suggests that, while progress may be incremental, reform is taking hold.
Commissioner Nyawanda’s vision for KRA customs is ambitious.
Should she succeed, her leadership would transform KRA customs into a model of accountability, proving that even deeply entrenched institutions can change with resolve and a commitment to integrity.
This editorial is both a call to action and a message of support.
The ongoing battle within KRA customs is not solely about revenue—it is a fight to reclaim public institutions from corruption.
Commissioner Nyawanda’s efforts are inspiring and deserve the backing of policymakers and the public alike.
For officers within the department who dream of an institution where honesty is the norm, her work represents a beacon of hope.
And for Kenya, her determination is a vital step toward a future where public service is synonymous with transparency and trust.
The journey to a high-performing, accountable KRA customs is long and difficult, with formidable forces fighting every step.
Yet, each victory, each small step toward reform, brings Kenya closer to a customs authority where borders are protected, revenue is safeguarded, and integrity reigns supreme.
It is a fight worth watching, supporting, and winning—for the future of KRA customs and the nation’s public sector as a whole.
The writer is a consultant on Good Governance and Revenue Enhancement Expert, East and Horn of Africa , Nairobi-Kenya
