President William Ruto has unveiled a new multi-agency team on war against corruption (MAT), a move he reckons will inject new life into his administration’s anti-graft fight.
Through Executive Order No. 1 of 2025, Dr Ruto has formally established MAT under the State Department for Justice, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs, bringing together key watchdog and investigative bodies.
They include the Executive Office of the President that will chair the team and the Attorney-General who shall serve as its secretary. Others are 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), Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).
“The membership is mandated to co-opt additional representation from designated agencies to further enhance its objectives,” the president said.
“The MAT shall, to the greatest extent possible, foster cooperation, coordination, and collaboration to enhance the effectiveness of the fight against corruption. For this purpose, the team shall be funded from the budgetary allocations of its member entities and other sources.”
According to the statement, the team will, among other things, be expected to also engage international agencies in recovery of proceeds of crime.
The news of the team comes amid increasing statements from the Head of State accusing Members of Parliament of corruption. Yesterday, while addressing legislators in Karen, he told them that one of their own had pocketed Sh10 million to pass the anti-money laundering Bill.
Ruto to MPs: Some of your colleagues pocketed Sh10m to pass anti-money laundering law
His comments angered MPs, with parliamentarians boycotting all committee business Tuesday in protest. Only Senate committees met with stakeholders.
Other provisions include auditing the national debt, upholding constitutionalism, and ending abductions and enforced disappearances.
