President William Ruto has suffered a blow after the High Court issued conservatory orders stopping the implementation of the Multi-Agency Team on War Against Corruption (MAT).
Justice Bahati Mwamuye issued the orders on Wednesday, August 20, following a petition filed by Magare Gikenyi, Eliud Karanja Matindi, Philemon Abuga Nyakundi, and Dishon Keroti Mogire challenging the formation of the multi-agency team.
“Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the Petitioners/Applicants’ Notice of Motion Application dated 20/08/2025, 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 Multi-Agency Team on War Against Corruption’ issued under the Hand and the Seal of the President of the Republic on 18/08/2025,” Justice Mwamuye stated.
The court directed the petitioners to serve the respondents with the application in both hardcopy and softcopy and to file an affidavit of service before the end of Thursday, August 21, 2025.
The respondents, on the other hand, were directed to enter appearance and file and serve their respective responses by the close of business on August 29, 2025.
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The case will be mentioned on September 9, 2025, virtually to confirm compliance and to take directions.
On Tuesday, August 19, President Ruto signed a proclamation creating the Multi-Agency Team on War Against Corruption (MAT).
The Head of State said MAT will coordinate efforts among various state agencies to tackle corruption, economic crimes, and related offenses.
The multi-agency team is chaired by the Executive Office of the President, while the Office of the Attorney General will head the secretariat.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are among the agencies in the team.
Others include: the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), the Asset Recovery Agency (ARA), the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).
“The MAT shall, to the greatest extent possible, foster cooperation, coordination, and collaboration to enhance effectiveness in the fight against corruption. For this purpose, the team shall be funded from the budgetary allocations of its member entities and other agencies,” Ruto stated.
