OPINION: Why Kenya Must Reject Ethnic Cartels in the Race for KRA Boss

By Prof. Vincent Ongore. 

This is what I have been complaining about all these years.

Some communities think that they have a birthright to certain high-ranking positions in this republic.

Now, the position of KRA Commissioner General is open, and ethnic daggers are already drawn.

Like all of us, George is not an angel.

But these accusations are pure exaggerations and utterly malicious.

What would someone worth Ksh 30 billion be doing in an office, as an employee?

The matter has been investigated before, when he was about to be promoted to Commissioner, and it was established that the properties (including Ciala Resort in Kisumu) were owned by an investment group comprising more than 100 members.

The case was dismissed as malicious, and George was cleared to be interviewed. He easily got the position.

The figures are exaggerated multiple times to portray George as unfit to hold public office.

For example, Ciala Resort is worth less than Ksh 1 billion, not the Ksh 16 billion in the documents.

Questionable Claims and Manufactured Allegations

These conspirators simply went online to pick on any enterprise, both local and international, bearing the name “Ciala”, and lumped them together with Ciala Resort.

They didn’t even care to verify if they had any link at all.

That many of the properties included in the case bear similar names, but do not belong to the investment group, is a sign of desperation by individuals who cannot withstand fair competition, and are trying to cling to any semblance of evidence.

Why is the case coming up again now?

The position of Commissioner General (CG) is open after Humphrey Wattanga was nominated for a diplomatic posting.

Qualifications and Professional Track Record

Of all the potential contenders to the CG’s office, George Obell is perhaps the most qualified and experienced.

Look at some of his qualifications: BSc (Accounting); MBA (Finance); LLB; CPA(K); CPS(K), Tax Assessor (Class of 2003); 32 years experience.

George has represented Kenya at the UN and OECD for several years, and helped craft protocols on transfer pricing, illicit financial flows and information exchange on activities of multinational enterprises in Africa.

For many years, as head of KRA’s Large Taxpayers Office, he was responsible for overseeing the development of transfer pricing rules and international taxation approaches for Africa.

The gentleman knows his stuff and is hugely open-minded.

George is a gem that this country needs and deserves at this critical juncture when the National Treasury is grappling with Fiscal Consolidation.

I bounce my ideas on him often, and the guy is on top of his game.

He currently serves as Commissioner of Domestic Taxes (MST).

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Internal Rivalries and Power Struggles

Some Johnny-come-latelies into tax administration, who were brought into KRA by godfathers and godmothers, without the requisite training, competencies and comportment – and they are very well known – are really worried that if George Obell appears for the interview for CG position, they don’t stand a chance at all.

That is why they are trying to revive a case that was recently investigated by relevant investigative bodies and cleared as malicious.

They want the CG position through hook or crook. I know what I am talking about.

The incompetent tax administration neophytes behind this scheme are well known to us.

Some are still inside, while others have recently been redeployed or removed from KRA.

They are planning a comeback through malicious character assassination.

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A Call to Reject Ethnic Exclusion

Take it from me: these goons will fail miserably.

It must be known that the position of the CG of KRA is open to all qualified Kenyans, not just people from a particular region.

This conspiracy of evil must stop before we expose the conspirators.

Kenya must not sacrifice its gems at the altar of ethnic manipulation.

George is a pure, unadulterated gem of tax administration.

The country is much better off with him applying his great insights to streamline tax administration.

In any case, records confirm his excellent work ethic, performance and innovativeness in all previous assignments.

We are watching the detractors very closely.

They will fail. This primitive habit of ethnic exclusion must stop once and for all.

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George Obell, MBS, serves as the Commissioner for the Micro and Small Taxpayers Department (MST) at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)., Appointed to the role on November 10, 2025. PHOTO/ KRA