Nairobi, Kenya — Kenya’s High Court has suspended President William Ruto’s newly established anti-corruption taskforce, halting its operations until a legal challenge over its constitutionality is heard.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye issued temporary orders on Wednesday, stopping the Presidential Multi-Agency Team on War Against Corruption (MAT-WAC) from taking effect. The decision came just two days after President Ruto unveiled the body, which was meant to bring together several state agencies in a unified front against graft.
The case was filed by four petitioners — Dr Magare-Gikenyi, Eliud Karanja Matindi, Philemon Abuga Nyakundi and Dishon Keroti Mogire — who argue that the president’s proclamation overstepped the law.
“The conservatory order is hereby issued staying the operation and 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 18th August 2025,” Justice Mwamuye ruled.
The petitioners contend that Kenya already has independent institutions with the mandate to fight corruption, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Creating a parallel body, they argue, not only duplicates roles but also risks weakening institutional independence.
They further warned that bringing entities like the Central Bank of Kenya, the ODPP, the National Intelligence Service, and the DCI under a presidential taskforce amounts to political interference.
The respondents, which include the Attorney General and the Presidency, have until 29 August to file their responses. The matter will return to court virtually on 9 September to confirm compliance and set a timetable for a full hearing, expected to conclude within 90 days.
The case is likely to rekindle debate on how far the presidency should go in steering the fight against corruption, a deeply entrenched problem that has frustrated successive governments in Kenya.
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