ICPAK Awards Commendation to George Obell for His 28-Year Contribution to Tax Reform and Professional Excellence

Taxpayers Department (MST), Mr. George Obell, MBS, has been conferred with an Award of Commendation by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) in recognition of his immense contribution to the accountancy profession in Kenya.

Mr. Obell, a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (CPA-K) and a long-standing member of ICPAK, was among 25 distinguished professionals honoured with the Award during this year’s ICPAK Chairman’s Ball. The Award of Commendation is reserved for ICPAK members who have been in good standing for at least five consecutive years and have demonstrated exemplary service to the Institute and the wider profession.

With a distinguished 28-year career in Tax Administration, Mr. Obell has made notable contributions to both the accountancy profession and tax landscape. He has been a distinguished speaker at various ICPAK forums, providing insights on complex tax and policy issues, and played a pivotal role in organising and chairing ICPAK-KRA engagements that enhance collaboration between practitioners and regulators.

His expertise spans various key areas of tax policy and administration, including digital taxation, transfer pricing, Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS), tax audits, and Exchange of Information (EOI).

Internationally, Mr. Obell is recognised as a respected thought leader and policy influencer. He was Kenya’s first appointed tax expert on the United Nations Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters and currently chairs the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) Value Added Tax (VAT) Technical Committee. Through these roles, he has helped shape Africa’s collective position on cross-border taxation, digital economy taxation, and the implementation of BEPS measures across the continent.

Appointed the Commissioner in charge of Micro and Small Taxpayers on 10th November 2025 after serving in an acting capacity from March 2025, Mr. Obell has served in various capacities within KRA, including as Deputy Commissioner for the Medium Taxpayers Office (MTO) and as Deputy Commissioner for the East and South of Nairobi (E&SoN) Tax Service Office. In these positions, he led major reforms focused on tax digitalization, including the successful implementation of electronic invoicing systems, the adoption of data analytics, and the deployment of risk-based compliance interventions to enhance operational efficiency.

In recognition of his outstanding service and leadership in tax reform, Mr. Obell received the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) national honour from the President of Kenya.

He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Nairobi, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the United States International University (USIU)-Africa.   The KRA Board and Management congratulate Mr. Obell on his well-deserved recognition by ICPAK.

Read Also: President Ruto Hails KRA’s AI-Led Reforms, Honours Taxpayers for Upholding Compliance