• The Multi-Agency Team (MAT), a powerful team established by President William Ruto, comes at a time when the president is openly confronting what he calls widespread bribery and extortion, even among Members of Parliament (MPs). The creation of the MAT is a synergy and inter-agency effort in the fight to combat corruption, economic crimes and related offences.

The High Court has temporarily suspended the implementation of President William Ruto’s Multi-Agency Team (MAT) on War Against Corruption, following a legal challenge questioning its constitutionality. Petitioners argue that the MAT duplicates existing anti-corruption bodies and undermines institutional independence.

The MAT was established on August 18, 2025, after Ruto made allegations during a Kenya Kwanza–ODM Parliamentary Group meeting in Karen. He accused Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators of accepting bribes, up to Ksh10 million to pass legislation, and claimed governors were paying large sums to influence Senate findings.

The President’s remarks triggered fierce backlash on social media and within Parliament. Lawmakers demanded evidence and transparency, with some suspending committee business in protest.

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi acknowledged the existence of corruption but insisted not all MPs were involved.

Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap urged Ruto to publicly name implicated officials, warning that broad accusations erode public trust in Parliament.

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“Even in the Senate, it's a minority. However, some Senators have made graft their business. MPs who have engaged in corruption are like egg thieves, but what about Governors, Parastatals MDs and DGs, and some Principal Secretaries,” he said.

The MAT, chaired by the Executive Office of the President and coordinated by the Office of the Attorney General, was designed as a synergy of Kenya’s top investigative and enforcement agencies.

It includes the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), Asset Recovery Agency (ARA), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), and Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

Its objectives include enhancing coordination, raising public awareness, recovering stolen assets both locally and abroad, and sharing best practices in the fight against corruption. Funding was to be drawn from member agencies’ budgets and other sources.