President William Ruto at State House. Photo/State House
By Daisy Okiring
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 – 3:01 PM EAT
President William Ruto has unveiled a new multi-agency team designed to intensify the fight against corruption in Kenya. The announcement comes barely a day after he warned Members of Parliament over allegations of receiving hefty bribes to influence parliamentary decisions.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Head of State revealed that the Multi-Agency Team on War Against Graft (MAT) will serve as a coordinated platform to strengthen cooperation among key state bodies tasked with fighting graft, economic crimes, and related offenses.
Key Agencies on Board
The MAT will be chaired by the Executive Office of the President, with the Office of the Attorney General heading its Secretariat. Other members include 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).
Also part of the team are the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), the Asset Recovery Agency (ARA), and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).
The membership has also been given authority to co-opt additional representatives from other relevant state bodies when necessary, ensuring flexibility and effectiveness in its operations.
Goals and Funding
President Ruto said the team will focus on fostering cooperation, coordination, and collaboration between agencies to strengthen anti-corruption efforts. It will also engage both local and international partners to support the recovery of stolen assets and curb economic crimes.
Additionally, MAT has been tasked with identifying resource gaps among member institutions, promoting best practices in anti-graft strategies, and creating communication frameworks to enhance transparency and public trust.
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Funding for the team will be drawn from the budgets of its member agencies as well as other unspecified sources.
“The MAT shall, to the greatest extent possible, foster cooperation, coordination, and collaboration to enhance the effectiveness of the war against graft,” Ruto said in part.
Political Reactions
The announcement has stirred political debate, with critics arguing that Ruto’s renewed anti-corruption drive is partly targeted at legislators he accused of accepting millions in bribes. The President maintains, however, that the fight is aimed at restoring accountability and protecting public resources.
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