NAIROBI, Kenya – The High Court has temporarily suspended President William Ruto’s newly unveiled Multi-Agency Team on War Against Corruption (MAT-WAC) after a petition challenged its constitutionality.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye, issuing conservatory orders on Wednesday, halted the operation and implementation of the presidential proclamation establishing the team, pending a full hearing of the case.
“Pending the hearing inter partes and determination of the petitioners’ notice of motion, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued staying the operation and implementation of, or the further operation and/or further implementation of, the Presidential proclamation on the establishment of the Multi-Agency Team on War Against Corruption,” Justice Mwamuye ruled.
The matter will be mentioned on September 9, 2025, for compliance.
The High Court has suspended the implementation of the Presidential Multi-Agency Team on the War Against Corruption, following a petition filed by Dr. Benjamin Gikenyi and others.Justice Bahati Mwamuye directed the respondents to file their responses by the close of business on
Petitioners Oppose Ruto’s Team
The suspension follows a petition filed by four Kenyans—Dr. Magare Gikenyi, Eliud Karanja Matindi, Philemon Abuga Nyakundi, and Dishon Keroti Mogire—who argue that the formation of MAT-WAC is unconstitutional.
They contend that the Constitution already establishes the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) under Article 79 as the independent body mandated to fight corruption.
Any new anti-graft arrangement, they argue, duplicates roles and undermines the independence of existing institutions.
The petitioners further raised concern over the inclusion of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in the team, arguing that this violates constitutional safeguards protecting their independence.
“The arrangement risks blurring institutional boundaries and weakening the principle of separation of powers,” the petition reads, citing Article 231(3) on CBK’s independence and Article 157(10) on the ODPP’s autonomy.
Funding and Governance Questions
The petition also questions MAT-WAC’s financing, which is to be drawn from budgetary allocations of participating agencies and unspecified “other sources.”
Petitioners argue this framework lacks transparency, undermines parliamentary oversight of public finances, and raises accountability concerns.
They also flagged the absence of clarity on remuneration and allowances for team members, warning of potential misuse of public funds.
Overlap With Existing Agencies
The petitioners warned that MAT-WAC’s mandate duplicates the work of institutions such as the Asset Recovery Agency (ARA), Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), and EACC—leading to wastage of resources instead of strengthening the anti-graft fight.
They are seeking orders suspending the team’s operations, blocking its funding, and halting implementation of any decisions until the case is heard and determined.
Ruto’s Anti-Corruption Push
President Ruto announced the 11-member team on August 18, 2025, under the State Department of Justice, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs.
The task force was to be chaired by a representative from the Office of the President, with the Attorney General’s office providing secretariat services.
Members included officials from the NIS, EACC, ODPP, DCI, FRC, ARA, KRA, CBK, PPRA, and the Attorney General’s office.
Ruto said the multi-agency approach was necessary to coordinate efforts against corruption, economic crimes, and illicit financial flows.
However, with the court’s orders, the team’s work has been suspended until the constitutional dispute is resolved.
