Ruto establishes multi-agency team to fight corruption
By Cy Muganda, August 19, 2025President William Ruto has announced the formation of a new Multi-Agency Team on War Against Corruption (MAT), bringing together key state institutions in a renewed push to curb graft, economic crimes, and misuse of public resources.
In a presidential proclamation issued on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Ruto outlined the creation of this team, 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.
Ruto cited constitutional obligations in justifying the establishment of the multi-agency team, referencing various articles that impose duties on both the government and citizens.
“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 utilized responsibly, in an open and accountable manner,” he added.
Taskforce membership
The MAT comprises eleven core agencies including the Executive Office of the President as chairperson, Office of the Attorney General as secretary, 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 Public Procurement Regulatory Authority.
“The membership is mandated to co-opt additional representation from designated agencies to further enhance its objectives,” the proclamation noted.
Objectives
According to the head of state, the team is tasked with enhancing cooperation and coordination among agencies, engaging with the private sector and international partners, sharing best practices, and developing effective communication strategies to keep Kenyans informed about the progress in the anti-graft campaign.
“A Multi-Agency Team on War Against Corruption (MAT) is hereby established with the strategic objective of creating synergy and inter-agency cooperation in the fight against corruption, economic crimes, and related offences,” the proclamation continued.
“Engaging both domestic and international relevant agencies for effectiveness and optimum realisation of the fight against economic crimes, organised crimes and recovery of proceeds of crime,” it added.
Budgetary allocation
Regarding resource allocation, Ruto stated that the MAT will be funded through the budgetary allocations of its member institutions and other approved sources.
“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,” the proclamation emphasised.
Ruto further noted that recent legal reforms, including the enactment of the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, and amendments to the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, had provided fresh impetus to the war on graft.
“The enactment of the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025 and the amendments to the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act have strengthened the fight against corruption by providing greater impetus and establishing a more robust legal framework,” he stated.