EACC Boss Abdi Mohamud Says William Ruto's Graft Task Force Was Their Idea: "To Co-ordinate"
- EACC dismissed claims that the graft task force was President William Ruto’s brainchild, saying the commission first developed the idea years ago
- CEO Abdi Mohamud explained that the task force was created to improve coordination among state agencies, avoid duplication, and close gaps in anti-corruption work
- He clarified that the arrangement was purely administrative, stressing it required no constitutional or legal backing to operate
- Mohamud said the forum evolved under former president Uhuru Kenyatta, with its membership expanded to include newly formed agencies
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has clarified that the controversial multi-agency task force on corruption was not President William Ruto’s idea.
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EACC chief executive officer Abdi Mohamud said the task force is a long-standing initiative pioneered by the commission.
Mohamud explained that the EACC developed the concept years ago as a coordination mechanism to bring together key state agencies in the criminal justice system.
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He argued that the aim was to avoid duplication, close gaps, and foster collaboration in fighting corruption.
"For the multi-agency team task force. Let me first of all say that this is not a new issue, this thing was there before. It was there, first it was an idea by the commission then that it was good to bring together all these actors within the criminal justice system, excluding the judiciary so that we are able to coordinate our activities in a more closer and more coordinated manner," he stated.
According to him, the arrangement was purely administrative and never required constitutional anchoring
"So it is an administrative issue, it has nothing to do with a legal requirement," the EACC chief stressed.
How has the EACC task force idea evolved?
Mohamud added that the plan has evolved over time, witnessing different changes in the fight against graft.
He stated that during former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, membership of the forum was expanded to include newly established agencies around 2016 and 2017.
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The integrity chief stressed that the EACC remained at the centre of the idea throughout, underscoring that the approach was never meant to strip the commission of its powers but to strengthen collective action.
"Now sometime in I think 2016 there about 2017 the executive at that time also expanded the membership of that particular forum and brought on board new agencies that were created at that time," he added.
Did High Court suspend Ruto's task force?
Mohamud’s clarification comes at a time when Ruto’s decision to establish the Multi-Agency Team on War Against Corruption (MAT) was suspended by the High Court.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye issued a conservatory order stopping the implementation of Ruto’s August 18 proclamation until a case filed by four activists is heard and determined.
The petitioners had argued that the president acted illegally and usurped the constitutional mandate of the EACC.
They further argued that by appointing a representative from his office as chairperson, the President is shielding himself from scrutiny.
The suspension of MAT is a blow to Ruto, who had framed the team as a cornerstone of his administration’s anti-corruption agenda.
The head of state has recently escalated his rhetoric, warning that lawmakers allegedly pocketing millions to influence legislation will be exposed and prosecuted.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
