Former Trade and Industries Cabinet Secretary Aden Mohammed has officially been sworn into office as the new Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority KRA.
He replaces Humphrey Wattanga who exited in April and is expected to serve a three-year term amid pressure to boost domestic revenue mobilization.
Wattanga has since been appointed by President William Ruto as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Australia.
The appointment was announced through a special issue of the Kenya Gazette dated May 18, 2026, by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi.
Prior to serving in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s cabinet; Aden served as C.E.O of Barclays Kenya and managing director for Barclays East and West Africa, as well as Chief Administrative Officer for Barclays Africa overseeing operations across 10 countries.
The swearing in comes against the backdrop of a temporary court order suspending Aden’s appointment.
Petitioner Benard Opere in a petition alleged that the appointment contravenes constitutional and public service regulations relating to the mandatory retirement age for public officers.
“Unless this Honourable Court urgently intervenes by granting the conservatory orders sought, the 6th Respondent will assume and exercise the powers and functions of Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority,” the affidavit says.
Justice Gregory Mutai of the Milimani Law Courts certified the matter as urgent and directed the case to come for mention on the 27th of May 2026.
Aden graduated from the University of Nairobi in 1989 before pursuing an MBA at Harvad Business School in 1994.
He has worked with several multi nationals including a consulting role for Shell in Nigeria.
