By Bonface Mulyungi

The National Treasury CS, John Mbadi, has appointed former Cabinet Secretary for Industrialisation, Adan Abdulla Mohamed, as the new Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority.

Mohamed’s appointment ushers in a new leadership era at the tax agency central to the country’s revenue collection.

The appointment, which takes effect from May 18, 2026, was officially published in a special issue of the Kenya Gazette dated the same day.

According to the gazette notice signed by Mbadi, Mohamed’s appointment is made under Section 11(1) of the Kenya Revenue Authority Act.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 11 (1) of the Kenya Revenue Authority Act, the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury appoints Adan Abdulla Mohamed to be the Commissioner General of Kenya Revenue Authority, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 18th May, 2026,” the notice reads.

Mohamed steps into the powerful role at a time when the tax agency remains under pressure to boost domestic revenue mobilisation amid rising economic demands and tight fiscal conditions.

The new KRA boss brings with him extensive experience spanning both the public and private sectors. He previously served as Managing Director of Barclays Bank Kenya—now Absa Bank Kenya—where he held a senior leadership role in the financial sector.

He later joined the government, serving as Cabinet Secretary for Industrialisation and Enterprise Development under the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Born in Kutulo, a remote village in Mandera County, Mohamed’s journey has been marked by a steady ascent through education and leadership.

He is an alumnus of Kangaru High School and graduated from the University of Nairobi in 1989 with a first-class Bachelor of Commerce degree.