KRA Appoints George Obell to Lead Micro and Small Taxpayers Unit
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has formally appointed George Obell, MBS.
As the Commissioner for the newly established Micro and Small Taxpayers Department (MST), effective November 10, 2025.
This decision, following a competitive recruitment process, transitions Mr. Obell from his acting role.
And places him at the forefront of a critical new unit designed to significantly boost tax collection and compliance among small businesses.
This institutional restructuring underscores KRA’s commitment to modernizing its approach.
In addition to improving service delivery across Kenya’s vast informal economy.
A Veteran Tax Expert for a Crucial Role
Mr. Obell brings an impressive 28 years of extensive experience in tax administration to this crucial role.
Therefore, making him a fitting choice to lead the compliance drive among micro and small enterprises (MSMEs).
His background is deeply rooted in KRA’s push for modernization and digitalization.
He was instrumental in implementing KRA’s foundational digital systems.
Including the electronic Tax Invoice Management System (eTIMS).
Also, he was a key driver in adopting data analytics for risk-based compliance interventions.
His previous high-level roles included serving as deputy commissioner for both the Medium Taxpayers Office (MTO).
And the East and South of Nairobi (E&SoN) Tax Service Office.
On the international stage, Mr. Obell currently chairs the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) VAT Technical Committee.
Additionally, he holds the unique distinction of being the first Kenyan appointed by the UN Secretary-General to the UN Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters.
Academically, Mr. Obell is highly qualified, holding both an MBA and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Nairobi.
Alongside a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from USIU-Africa.
The Mandate to Transform the Informal Economy
The Micro and Small Taxpayers Department (MST) was officially created in March 2025 following the restructuring of the Domestic Taxes Department.
The establishment of this dedicated unit is a strategic move to address the chronic difficulty in taxing the informal economy.
Which is characterized by cash transactions and poor record-keeping.
Under Mr. Obell’s leadership, the MST Department is tasked with the challenging mandate of lifting collections from this opaque segment by making compliance simple and accessible.
This involves a multi-pronged approach: developing customized, user-friendly solutions for MSMEs, such as a USSD-based platform for those without internet access and a 24-hour WhatsApp chatbot for quick assistance.
Furthermore, the unit will utilize an agent model to extend vital tax education and services into remote and rural areas.
Therefore, focus on fostering voluntary compliance through tailored campaigns and sector-specific tax solutions.
The KRA Board and Commissioner-General Humphrey Wattanga have publicly expressed confidence that Mr. Obell’s deep technical expertise will be pivotal in strengthening tax administration for MSMEs and promoting equitable economic growth.
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