Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has suspended eight branch managers of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) on Monday, June 19, following allegations of their involvement in deceptive practices to defraud unsuspecting Kenyans.
Addressing the media, Nakhumicha pointed fingers at cartels who had colluded with the branch managers to orchestrate the fraudulent scheme. To tackle the issue head-on, the Cabinet Secretary instructed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to work closely with the NHIF board to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a comprehensive report within a week.
Furthermore, Nakhumicha directed the NHIF board to take appropriate action against any employees found to have conspired with the cartels. She also extended an invitation to the whistleblower responsible for exposing the wrongdoing, urging their cooperation in assisting EACC detectives with their ongoing investigations.
Expressing her disappointment in the Ministry's staff involved in this heartless syndicate, Nakhumicha revealed that she had met with the NHIF board chair and ordered the initiation of investigations. She instructed the board to invite the whistleblower to provide details regarding the ruthless cartel.
Nakhumicha further instructed the Health Ministry's department responsible for relations to promptly produce a substantive report on the matter.
To ensure a comprehensive understanding of how these cartels siphon resources, the Health CS made a special request to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to collaborate with the NHIF in conducting investigations. She expected a report to be delivered within seven days.
While urging hospitals to resume operations even with pending payments, Nakhumicha expressed her disappointment in some facility owners who took advantage of the situation to exploit Kenyans. In response, she announced that a verification exercise of all payments would be carried out to identify any inconsistencies.
CS Nakhumicha provided a list of eight hospitals implicated in the NHIF scandal, which included:
- Jekim Medical Centre in Meru Central
- St Peters Orthopaedic and Surgical Hospital in Kiambu County
- Afya Bora Hospital in Mwea, Kirinyaga
- Joy Nursing and Maternity Hospital in Malewa Street, Kamukunji
- Afya Bora Hospital Annex in Wanguru, Mwea
- Jekim Hospital in Nkupu Imenti South, Meru
- Beirut Pharmacy and Medical Centre
- Amal Hospital Limited in Nairobi
The CS directed these facilities to transfer their in-patients to other hospitals and evacuate within 24 hours.
Additionally, Nakhumicha ordered a lifestyle audit of all NHIF staff to ensure transparency and accountability in their wealth accumulation relative to their earnings. Any inconsistencies discovered, she warned, would be met with strict legal measures.