A group of citizens has filed a High Court petition challenging President William Ruto’s establishment of the Presidential Multi-Agency Team on the War Against Corruption (MAT-WAC), terming it unconstitutional and a duplication of existing institutions.
The case, lodged under Petition No. E530 of 2025, is spearheaded by Dr. Magare Gikenyi alongside Eliud Karanja Matindi, Philemon Abuga Nyakundi, and Dishon Keroti Mogire. The petitioners argue that the presidential proclamation of August 18, 2025, which created the taskforce, contravenes several provisions of the 2010 Constitution.
They contend that the President has no mandate to establish an anti-corruption agency, a role constitutionally assigned to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) under Article 79. Describing the presidential directive as “imaginary hot air mirage powers,” the petitioners accuse the Head of State of overstepping authority in a domain reserved for independent commissions.
The petition also faults the inclusion of key state bodies such as the Central Bank of Kenya, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the National Intelligence Service, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, saying their involvement undermines institutional independence and risks politicising their functions.
Citing past Auditor-General reports implicating the Presidency in controversial procurements, among them the Sh104 billion Social Health Authority system and e-Citizen platform fees, the petitioners claim the taskforce could serve to insulate the President’s office from scrutiny.
They further question the team’s funding, pointing to vague budgetary arrangements that, in their view, open the door to resource misuse.
The petitioners are seeking conservatory orders to suspend MAT-WAC, bar it from compiling reports, and stop it from using public funds. Failure to grant such orders, they argue, would undermine the Constitution, erode public trust, and amount to an abuse of taxpayer resources.
The respondents in the case include the Presidential Multi-Agency Team, the Attorney-General, the EACC, ODPP, CBK, NIS, DCI, the Financial Reporting Centre, the Asset Recovery Agency, the Kenya Revenue Authority, and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority.
Written By Rodney Mbua
