Moses Kuria: Ruto's new anti-graft team risks undermining independence

Placing the new Multi-Agency Team on War Against Corruption (MAT) under the Executive Office of the President could weaken its independence, Moses Kuria now says.

Appearing on Citizen TV on Tuesday night, Kuria welcomed the government’s renewed focus on corruption but questioned the team’s structure and timing.

According to Kuria, anchoring the team within the Executive Office raises fears of bias and control.

“Any effort that goes to fight corruption is welcome, and there is no real wasted effort. But I only have two concerns. One, I would have expected the President to name, not a whole-of-government approach, but a whole-of-society approach,” the former economic advisor said. 

Kuria argued that agencies such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) already have constitutional authority to fight graft, and that placing them under the Presidency risks bias.

“The mere leadership of the team being under the Executive Office of the President would point to some very worrying situation, because it is actually a team that can sit together and agree or connive on what to do,” he added.

“Without the Executive, they have the mandate. The only new thing is that there is a ‘prefect,’ which begs the question of impartiality.”

He added that a credible anti-corruption effort should include Parliament, the Judiciary, civil society and professional bodies to ensure fairness and sustainability.

Kuria also questioned the timing of the team’s establishment, which came a day after police raided a KCB branch in Karen in what authorities described as part of an anti-graft crackdown.

He said the rollout appeared rushed and could face legal challenges.

“Parliament and the Judiciary are also not represented in that team. I expect someone to go to court. I don’t think it was well thought out,” he stated.

Drawing parallels with former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, Kuria warned against “unsystematic approaches” and urged the creation of a long-term institutional process.

His remarks come amid growing tensions between the Executive and Parliament after President Ruto accused MPs of demanding bribes from Cabinet secretaries and governors during committee plenaries.

Kuria suggested the alleged bribery could explain the speed with which Parliament passed key government policies such as Universal Health Coverage and the Housing Levy.

“Maybe that explains how, in record time, they passed four bills for UHC, a darling of the President. Thank you, Mr. President, for letting us know. Maybe that is how they passed the Housing levy in record time,” he claimed.