President Ruto establishes multi-agency team to combat corruption

President William Ruto has announced the formation of a Multi-Agency Team on War against Corruption (MAT) to beef up the fight against graft.

In a presidential proclamation issued today, Ruto said the team will operate under a whole-of-government approach, designed to foster synergy, coordination, and impactful interventions across various arms of government.

MAT will be chaired by the Executive Office of the President, with the Office of the Attorney General serving as the Secretariat. Its membership includes the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), Asset Recovery Agency (ARA), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).

To enhance its operational effectiveness, the team has also been granted authority to co-opt additional representatives from other designated agencies when necessary.

MAT will be tasked with several objectives such as; enhancing inter-agency cooperation, engaging relevant government organs and the private sector, identifying and supporting resource needs across member institutions, and sharing best practices in tackling corruption.

ALSO READ:

CS Oparanya leads Cooperatives leaders on a benchmarking mission in Ireland and UK

The team will also develop communication strategies aimed at raising public awareness about progress made in the anti-graft campaign. Additionally, it will engage both domestic and international partners to strengthen efforts in combating economic and organised crimes, and in recovering stolen public assets.

Funding for the team’s operations will be drawn from the budgetary allocations of its member entities, with the possibility of tapping into other sources.

The President noted that the idea of a multi-agency framework was first proposed in 2015 by the Taskforce on the Review of the Anti-Corruption Legal, Policy and Institutional Framework, and that similar ad hoc collaborations in recent years had achieved modest success.

He also cited recent legislative milestones, including the enactment of the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, and amendments to the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, as key developments that have strengthened Kenya’s legal framework for fighting corruption.

The proclamation is based on Articles 10, 129(2), 131(1)(b), 131(2)(a), and 201 of the 2010 constitution, which mandate the President to uphold the Constitution and ensure responsible, transparent, and accountable use of public resources.

The move comes just days after the President publicly criticised members of parliament for allegedly turning oversight committees into platforms for extortion.

By Masaki Enock

Sharing is caring!