Former Mukurweini Member of Parliament (MP) Kabando Wa Kabando has criticised President William Ruto’s decision to form a committee to investigate corruption in the country, accusing the Head of State of violating the Constitution.

President William Ruto on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, announced the formation of a new Multi-Agency Team on War Against Corruption (MAT), amid the existence of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), in a renewed push to curb graft, economic crimes, and misuse of public resources.

In a presidential proclamation, Ruto outlined the creation of the body, which comprises 11 key agencies, under the leadership of the Executive Office of the President, with the Office of the Attorney General serving as the secretariat.

“The Government of the Republic of Kenya is steadfast in its commitment to reinforcing a ‘whole-of-government’ approach in the fight against corruption,” the proclamation stated.

“The Constitution of Kenya imposes an obligation on all Kenyans to combat corruption,” he emphasised. “Articles 10, 129 (2), 131 (1) (b), 131 (2) (a), and 201 impose on the President the mandate to exercise executive authority in safeguarding and upholding the Constitution and, consequently, in ensuring that public resources are utilised responsibly, in an open and accountable manner.”

However, in quick response to the formation of MAT, Wa Kabando has argued that Ruto’s move effectively subordinates the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to the presidency, a step he says undermines the independence of the constitutional body mandated to handle graft cases.

“Constitutionally, EACC as an independent body is not subject to direction or control of a person or authority. Purporting to subordinate EACC under his office, Ruto has violated the Constitution,” Kabando said via his X account on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.

Crippling EACC

The former lawmaker branded the President as the ‘Chief Bribe Giver’ while lamenting what he described as a weakened anti-corruption body.

“Tragically, a frail EACC is wobbling, stammering subserviently to Chief Bribe Giver,” he added.

His remarks come in the wake of heightened debate on corruption, after President Ruto asked National Assembly and Senate Speakers Moses Wetangula and Amason Kingi to form committees to investigate graft in parliament.

Meanwhile, the EACC is constitutionally established under Chapter 6 and Article 79 of the 2010 Constitution, with a clear mandate to investigate and recommend prosecution of corruption and economic crimes.