Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Board Chairman Anthony Mwaura received a major blow today as the high court declared his appointment illegal and unconstitutional.
While revoking his appointment Justice Chacha Mwita noted that the national values and integrity while appointing Mwaura were not adhered to adding that Mwaura’s appointment was inconsistent with the constitution.
“Criminal charges including corruption and economic crimes against a person are relevant considerations for testing integrity, conviction of an offense is also yet another material for testing integrity. Failure to disclose conflict of interest is a matter relevant related in the office you hold or to be appointed to is also relevant material in testing integrity,” the court noted
Judge Mwita said that The requirement of public office is public trust and the fact that Mwaura was facing corruption and economic, the latter is still pending according to the information provided to the court.
Similarly, the judge dismissed Mwaura’s argument saying that nothing prevented his appointment at the time is not defensible. However, The judge said that the national values and principles of governance in Article 10 of Leadership are n of real value in governance.
The petitioners’ argument to support the claim that the appointment of the first respondent was inconsistent with the law is not misplaced.
This matter was a relevant consideration in the process of his appointment as chairperson of the KRA Board “The country should embark on building culture on national values and leadership based on national values and integrity and principle,” the court noted.