The High Court in Nairobi has temporarily suspended the operations of President William Ruto’s newly established Multi-Agency Team on War Against Corruption (MAT-WAC), pending a legal challenge questioning its constitutionality.
The decision, delivered on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, has sparked fresh debate over the government’s approach to tackling graft in a country where corruption remains a persistent challenge.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye granted the conservatory order following a petition filed by Dr Magare Gikenyi, Eliud Karanja Matindi, Philemon Abuga Nyakundi, and Dishon Keroti Mogire.
The petitioners argue that President Ruto’s recent executive proclamation creating MAT-WAC is unconstitutional and oversteps the authority of existing independent bodies, notably the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
They further contend that, by integrating agencies such as the Central Bank of Kenya, the National Intelligence Service, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations into MAT-WAC, Ruto is undermining the independence of EACC and the ODPP, raising concerns about political overreach.
“The establishment of this team threatens the autonomy of institutions tasked with fighting corruption,” the petitioners argued in court documents.
The court order therefore suspended the task force’s activities pending a full hearing, with Justice Mwamuye stating: “A 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, dated 18 August 2025.”
The petitioners were instructed to serve the respondents immediately, with responses due by August 29.
A virtual hearing is scheduled for September 9 to confirm compliance and set a timeline for an expedited ruling within 90 days.
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