Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakumicha has taken action against eight branch managers of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) who have been accused of engaging in fraudulent activities to exploit Kenyan citizens. Nakumicha specifically criticized the involvement of cartels collaborating with branch managers to execute this deceitful scheme.
On Monday, the Cabinet Secretary ordered the NHIF board to initiate investigations into the alleged fraud and present a preliminary report to her within the next 48 hours. As part of the investigation process, the whistleblower will be invited to provide information on the details of the syndicate.
Furthermore, Nakumicha instructed the division of standards and regulations to take appropriate action and provide a report on the matter. She also made a special request to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to collaborate with NHIF in conducting thorough investigations to uncover how these cartels embezzle resources from Kenyans and specifically from NHIF. She expects the findings to be available within the next seven days.
To prevent facilities suspected of engaging in malpractice from continuing their activities, the Health Cabinet Secretary directed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board to commence immediate investigations into the mentioned families from the NTV expose. These investigations are to be concluded within 48 hours.
The facilities in question are required to transfer their inpatients and cease their operations within 24 hours from the time of the directive. This action will enable the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council to begin inspections. If these inspections reveal any wrongdoing, the facilities will be closed until the investigations are concluded, as enforced by the ministry’s teams.