Editor's Review

The Committee questioned the role of KDF in the recruitment exercise, noting that their involvement was an illegality.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has landed in trouble over the Revenue Service Assistants.

According to the National Assembly Cohesion and Equal Opportunities Committee, 133 recruits were dropped after they were subjected to HIV and pregnancy tests among other insubstantial reasons.

The reports were elaborated by KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga, who appeared before the Committee, noted that the 133 recruits were not hired on account of HIV and pregnancy.

Wattanga further told the Committee that they faced a lot of political interference in the running of the Authority's programmes.

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File image of KRA Revenue Assistants. PHOTO | COURTESY

"The recruitment for the Revenue Service Assistants was conducted by the Kenya Defense Forces on our behalf," he stated.

Members expressed their anger at the decision by KRA to subject applicants to HIV and pregnancy tests noting that it was a clear violation of the law and the Authority's Human Resource guidelines.

Nyeri Town MP, Duncan Mathenge read to the Commissioner General several articles in the constitution on human rights that they violated in the recruitment process, noting that action should be taken.

Following the revelation, Yusuf Haji-led committee launched an inquiry into the entire recruitment process. 

Ndhiwa MP, Peters Owino and his Kaspul counterpart Hon. Were Ong'ondo who supported the inquiry call, said it was a grave mistake for KRA to dismiss the 133 recruits on medical accounts.

"You violated the rights of the recruits by subjecting them to tests. Your legal team should have advised you that you were breaking the law," said Were.

"Other State institutions have recruited staff without forcing them to undergo HIV and pregnancy tests. What drove KRA into doing so!" posed Nominated MP Irene Mayaka.

The Committee questioned the role of KDF in the recruitment exercise, noting that their involvement was an illegality.

Wattanga responding to KDF involvement noted that it was because of the nature of the work the officers were going to do.

"The recruits were hired as enforcement officers hence the need to use KDF to identify those fit for the job," he explained.