Court Blocks Ruto From Forming Powerful Team To Fight Corruption

President William Ruto has been dealt a huge blow after the High Court issued a conservatory order blocking the formation of a new multi-agency task force to step up Kenya's war on corruption.

In a statement on Tuesday, August 19, Ruto confirmed the creation of the Multi-Agency Team on War Against Corruption (MAT), designed to enhance synergy and improve coordination among institutions charged with fighting graft, economic crimes, and related offences.

However, the multi-agency team was challenged in court, with four activists claiming it is unconstitutional and usurps the functions of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, August 20, Justice Bahati Mwamuye granted the conservatory order, which halts all activity related to the new multi-agency team (MAT) pending the hearing and determination of a lawsuit filed by Dr. Magare Gikenye J. Benjamin, Elihu Datinidi, and two others.

"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," the orders seen by Viral Tea read in part.

The court has set an aggressive timeline for the case, demanding swift action from all parties. The petitioners have been ordered to serve all documents to the respondents by Saturday, August 23. The state, through its various agencies, must then file its responses by close of business on August 29.

A virtual mention hearing has been scheduled for September 9, 2025, at 9:30 AM, where parties will confirm compliance and argue for an expedited hearing.

Justice Mwamuye has further directed that the entire application and petition be heard and determined within 90 days of that date, urging counsel to discuss a joint proposal in advance.

"Penal Notice: Take notice that any disobedience or non-observance of the order of the court served herewith will result in penal consequences to you and any other person(s) disobeying and not observing the same," the judge warned.

The court's intervention represents a significant judicial check on executive power, placing a major campaign initiative on hold indefinitely. The ruling throws the government's strategy for a high-profile anti-corruption drive into immediate uncertainty just as it was beginning its work.

As per Ruto's announcement, the task force was to be chaired by the Executive Office of the President, while the Office of the Attorney General would oversee its Secretariat.

Other members include the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

Additional institutions represented in the team are the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), Asset Recovery Agency (ARA), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA). The framework also allows MAT to co-opt other agencies when necessary to strengthen its operations.

According to the President, the team’s mandate is to promote collaboration and coordination between anti-graft bodies, while also engaging government institutions and the private sector to reinforce the overall fight against corruption.

Further, it will assess the resource needs of each participating agency, push for support to bridge any gaps, and provide a platform for sharing strategies and best practices.

MAT is further expected to craft communication strategies that highlight progress in the anti-corruption drive in order to boost public trust. It will also work with both local and international partners to intensify the fight against organised crime, recover stolen assets, and tackle economic offences more effectively.

The announcement came barely a day after President Ruto issued a stern warning to legislators over involvement in bribery and unethical conduct.