KRA says millionaire on Ksh.100K salary was fired two years ago

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has reacted to a story that ran in one of the local dailies about one of their employees worth a reported Ksh.650 million.

In the story, The Standard publication claimed that Joseph Chege Gikonyo, a KRA manager in Eldoret, was under the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s (EACC) radar due to his millionaire lifestyle despite earning a salary of Ksh.119,000.

The publication further alluded to Mr. Gikonyo owning property spread across Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties valued at Ksh.355 million, and cash deposits in various banks amounting to Ksh.399 million.

In a statement to newsrooms, KRA Commissioner for Intelligence and Strategic Operations, Githii Mburu said Mr. Gikonyo was fired on October 31, 2016 when allegations of his involvement in the malpractices were brought to their attention.

“Issues of unexplained assets and tax evasion have been under investigation by both the EACC and the KRA. The findings on tax evasion have already been shared with the EACC to facilitate prosecution of economic crimes in addition to the recovery of the taxes by the KRA,” reads the statement.

“Violations of other aspects of the KRA Code of Conduct including conflict of interest are currently under the KRA disciplinary process.”

The newspaper claimed that the officer, despite the accused having worked at the tax authority since 1998 – starting off as a junior tax collector at Oloitokitok earning a basic salary of Ksh.24,369 and rising to Eldoret manager with a net pay of Ksh.119,617 – and earning a total of Ksh.45 million in salary and proceeds from his tea farming business for the last 20 years.

The taxman further stated that the matter of unexplained wealth of KRA staff was currently under investigation, adding that, “KRA continues to work closely with other Law Enforcement Agencies in the fight against corruption and economic crimes.”

“KRA has a zero tolerance policy to corruption and all KRA staff have an individual responsibility to uphold integrity at all times.”