KRA’s John Njiraini Accused Of Mismanagement, Corruption As He Fights Retirement

Commissioner General John Njiraini has been accused of corruption, mismanagement and cronyism even as he is faced with a suit that could see him retire.

Kahawa Tungu has learned that the taxman has apparently been missing targets since Njiraini took office in March 2012 when he was appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta, then Finance Minister. For instance, KRA was short Sh40 billion in the first four months of the 2017/18 (July-June) fiscal year and for the financial year 2016/17, the taxman again missed the target by Sh50 billion.

But what puzzles many is why the President or the board are yet to fire Njiraini who attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 years on December 19, 2017.

It is known that he was part of the Friends of Jubilee Foundation (FJF) that raised billions for Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election at the Safari Park Hotel. He is also allegedly a signatory to the FJF’s accounts, contrary to the Public Officer and Integrity act prohibiting public servants in engaging in partisan politics.

Also implicated in Njiraini’s unscrupulous ways is Justice Nelson Aboudha who apparently received Sh25 million to ‘subvert justice.’

Justice Aboudha on January 2, 2018 while ruling on a suit filed by activist Okiya Omtata said the case should be concluded before March 3, the same date the KRA boss is expected to vacate office.

The honourable judge also said: “Njiraini is a man of means and can be ordered to refund whatever money he would have received as KRA boss, if the court finds that he is in office illegally.”

Njiraini apparently has an income of Sh1.5 million every month but rakes in Sh30 million.

Also a part of the ‘illegal’ deal is lawyer, Waweru Gatonye. He apparently has a Tax Compliance Certificate Checker (TCC) which allows one to confirm the validity of a tax compliance certificate.

In fact, the source says, Mr Gatonye evades taxes as he is well connected.

Njiraini, the source notes also runs a cartel that sells stamps for excise duty together with one, Nicholas Kinoti. Together, they make more sales than KRA.

“They get genuine stamps from the company that manufactures them.”

Read: NGO Boss Fazul in office illegally, KEJUDE wants him out with immediate effect.

The KRA boss has also connected to a Swiss company that fixes Excise Goods Management Systems (EGMS), prompting him to take numerous trips to Switzerland in the recent past.

During some of his trips, he is accompanied by his supposed mistresses; Grace Wandera, Ruth Wachira (Head of Large Taxpayers Office) and Annastacia Githuba, a deputy commissioner who two years ago was a ‘mere assistant commissioner.’

Ms Wachira, the source intimates, helps Njiraini siphon his money specially from the large excise manufacturers. Word has it that before heading the LTO, she was just a dentist.

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