Koim’s entry into the race is expected to draw significant national attention, given his high-profile career in law, anti-corruption work, and tax administration over the last decade.
A lawyer by profession, Koim first served in the Solicitor General’s Office, rising from legal officer to Principal Legal Officer, where he defended the State in constitutional, administrative, and civil matters.
He came to national prominence in 2011 when he was appointed Chairman of the Investigation Task Force Sweep, a multi-agency anti-corruption body tasked with exposing misuse of public funds and government procurement irregularities. The unit’s work placed Koim at the centre of some of the country’s most politically sensitive corruption probes.
Koim was appointed Acting Commissioner General of the IRC in August 2019, and confirmed permanently in January 2020. His tenure was defined by a strong compliance agenda and institutional reform. He warned early that the IRC would rigorously pursue tax evasion, famously telling non-compliant taxpayers: “We will find you.”
Under his leadership, annual tax collections reportedly increased from K6–8 billion to around K17 billion by 2024, supported by improved systems, digital reforms, and enforcement measures. In 2025, Koim oversaw the full restoration of IRC’s tax administration systems after technical disruptions, an achievement publicly commended by the Prime Minister.
Koim resigned on 9 December 2025 following government plans to introduce an external IRC Board, a move he warned could weaken the institution’s independence and operational effectiveness. His departure after six years atop the agency set the stage for today’s announcement.
Born in Gumanch village in Western Highlands Province and a son of the Dei electorate, Koim’s decision to run is seen by observers as a major political test for a figure long associated with governance integrity and institutional reform.
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