President William Samoei Ruto has officially established a Multi-Agency Team on War Against Corruption (MAT), marking a major step in Kenya’s ongoing efforts to tackle graft, economic crimes, and related offenses. The proclamation was issued under the Executive Office of the President, emphasizing a “whole-of-government” approach to combating corruption.
The MAT will operate under the State Department for Justice, Human Rights, and Constitutional Affairs, with the Executive Office of the President serving as chair and the Office of the Attorney General heading the Secretariat.
The team brings together key government institutions, including the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), Asset Recovery Agency (ARA), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA). Additional agencies may be co-opted to enhance collaboration.
The creation of the MAT builds on recommendations from the 2015 Taskforce on the Review of the Anti-Corruption Legal, Policy, and Institutional Framework and aligns with Executive Order No. 1 of 2025. It also follows recent legislative reforms, including the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, and amendments to the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, which strengthen Kenya’s legal framework in fighting corruption.
According to the Presidential Proclamation, the MAT’s objectives include enhancing inter-agency coordination, identifying and mobilizing resources, sharing best practices, raising public awareness of anti-corruption efforts, and engaging both domestic and international partners for optimal results. Funding for the initiative will come from the participating agencies’ budgetary allocations and other sources.
President Ruto emphasized that the team will ensure public resources are used responsibly, transparently, and in a manner consistent with constitutional obligations. “This is a decisive step in reinforcing our commitment to ethical governance and the eradication of corruption at all levels,” the proclamation states.
The MAT is expected to operate as a permanent structure, driving coordinated anti-corruption operations and promoting synergy across all government arms.
Written By Rodney Mbua
