Ex-KRA boss John Njiraini withdraws candidature for NLC Chairmanship

Former Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner-General John Njiraini has withdrawn his candidature for the National Land Commission (NLC) chairperson position.

Njiraini on Wednesday said he was opting out of the race to succeed Muhamad Swazuri to pursue “other interests.”

“I wish to communicate my decision to withdraw as candidate for the position of Chairperson of the National Land Commission in order to pursue other interests,” said Njiraini in a letter to the panel for selection of the NLC Chairperson and members.

“I wish to thank you and other panel members for having granted me the opportunity to present my ideas on how this important national institution can be transformed through the injection of a fresh leadership dynamic.”

Njiraini, who had sat at the helm of  KRA since March 2012, left in June this year after his term expired.

He was among the 11 candidates shortlisted for the top NLC seat that fell vacant after Swazuri’s tenure ended in February this year.

The remaining candidates include; Former Nyeri MP Esther Murugi, Mwenda Makathimo (Executive Director of the Land Development & Governance Institute); prominent lawyer Gershom Otachi; Naomi Wagereka (former Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Chairperson); Robert Kilimo, Patrick Adolowa, Humphrey Njuguna, Paul Wambua, Tiyah Ali (Isiolo County MP) and Gershom Bw’Omanwa.

According to the National Land Commission, the above candidates were shortlisted from 117 applications which the commission received.