The Acting Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Rispah Simiyu was appointed to serve as a member of the Inter-American Center of Tax Administrations (CIAT) Executive Council.
In a statement to the newsrooms on Wednesday, May 31, the authority stated that Simiyu will be tasked with representing the interests of non-American countries including Kenya, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France and Portugal.
The appointment puts Kenya on the global map and KRA as an institution with a global reputation, endorsing the authority on tax administration matters.
“Kenya will now play a key role in the formulation and implementation of key international tax programmes after the country was elected to be a member of the Inter-American Center of Tax Administrations Executive Council.
“The election was initiated by CIAT non-American country members’ nomination of Kenya to assume an elected seat. The nomination reiterates KRA’s global reputation and endorsement in tax administration matters,” the statement read in part.
The Acting Commissioner General was elected to serve as the executive council member for a term of two years.
CIAT Executive Council is a non-profit international organisation responsible for managing and following up on the performance of the executive secretariat budget.
Additionally, it oversees the activities and the execution of the budget and outlines CIAT’s institutional strategies.
"This means that KRA Acting Commissioner General will now participate in the formulation and implementation of key tax programmes on behalf of CIAT members," the statement added.
Members of the council are drawn from 42 countries including America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Other countries appointed to the council, of which Kenya has been a member since 2006, include the president of Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, Paraguay and the United States of America.
Simiyu was appointed to serve in an acting capacity on Thursday, February 23, after the resignation of James Githii Mburu as Commissioner General who moved on to pursue personal interests.
Mburu resigned from office before the end of his 5-year term, which was expected to end in June 2024 following the amendment of the KRA Act.
"Following the resignation, the board has appointed Rispah Simiyu (EBS), the Acting Commissioner General KRA, with effect from February 23, 2023, until the position is substantively and competitively filled.
"The Board appreciates Mr Mburu for the service he has rendered to KRA and the Republic of Kenya and wishes him very well in his future endeavours," the statement read.
