High Court Blocks William Ruto's Anti-Corruption Team from Beginning Work
- President William Ruto's new Multi-Agency Team (MAT) against corruption will havce its operations on hold until the court determines the petitions filed against it
- A quartet of activists moved to the High Court challenging the president's decision to form the task force, arguing that it was unconstitutional
- Ruto came up with the team in an offical proclamation on Tuesday, August 19, to fast-track the war on graft
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The High Court in Nairobi has temporarily stopped the operations of an anti-corruption team constituted by President William Ruto to examine and fight corruption in the country.
Source: Twitter
On Wednesday, August 20, Justice Bahati Mwamuye suspended the team's operations until the petitions filed by four activists are heard and determined.
The petitioners are Magare Gikenyi, Eliud Karanja Matindi, Philemon Abuga Nyakundi, and Dishon Keroti Mogire.
The court instructed the petitioners to serve the application to the respondents in both digital and physical formats and to submit proof of service by Thursday, August 21, 2025.
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Meanwhile, the respondents were ordered to formally respond and share their submissions by the end of business on August 29, 2025.
A virtual session to review compliance and provide further directions is scheduled for September 9, 2025.
“Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the Petitioners/Applicants’ Notice of Motion Application dated 20/08/2025, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued staying the operation and implementation of, or the further operation and/or further implementation of, the ‘Presidential Proclamation on the Establishment of Multi-Agency Team on War Against Corruption’ issued under the Hand and the Seal of the President of the Republic on 18/08/2025,” the judge ordered.
The court's decision came a day after the president put together the new anti-corruption task force, marking a decisive shift in the government's approach to tackling graft.
In a formal declaration dated August 18, 2025, Ruto introduced the Multi-Agency Team (MAT), designed to unify key government bodies in efforts to enhance investigations, legal action, and the recovery of stolen assets.
The initiative will be overseen by the Executive Office of the President, with the Office of the Attorney General managing its Secretariat.
Participating institutions include the National Intelligence Service, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Financial Reporting Centre, Asset Recovery Agency, Kenya Revenue Authority, Central Bank of Kenya, and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority.
The MAT’s core function is to foster collaboration and coordination among agencies that traditionally operated in silos, aiming to combat corruption and financial crimes more effectively.
This move builds upon earlier recommendations made in 2015 during a review of Kenya’s legal and policy framework on corruption, which had led to sporadic partnerships with limited success due to inter-agency rivalries.
Funding for the task force will be drawn from the existing budgets of its member organizations, with additional support anticipated from other sources.
Ruto’s directive gives formal structure to previous efforts, establishing a permanent body with clear leadership and goals.
The president underscored that the formation of MAT aligns with constitutional obligations requiring citizens to oppose corruption, and reflects his authority under Articles 10, 129, 131, and 201 to protect public assets.
He also pointed to recent legislative developments—such as the enactment of the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, and updates to the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act—as critical tools to support the task force’s work.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
