The Parliamentary Health Committee on Tuesday, June 27, directed some officers under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to retain their jobs as investigations into a multi-billion scandal progressed.
Led by its chair and Endebess Member of Parliament, Robert Pukose, the committee explained that it was not allowed to deploy, fire, or transfer some of the officers while the investigations were underway.
"Often when such investigations are launched, you find that the ministry transfers the officers to frustrate the committee.
"We have the powers to summon even those who have been taken to other areas. For smooth running, we intend to maintain the status quo of these officers until the inquiry is done," Pukose stated.
The committee, however, emphasised that the recruitment of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and senior management should continue as planned.
"We will still hold other officers accountable," the MP added claiming that the employees were involved in defrauding the national fund.
In the scandal exposed by the media, the Committee established that several private hospitals illegally received more funds from the kitty compared to public hospitals, some fabricating the kind of surgeries they conducted.
"We as a committee cannot turn a blind eye to the misappropriation of public sources within NHIF. The only path to uncover the truth behind the crisis is through a public inquiry," the chairperson added.
The 15-member committee is also expected to explore the preferential treatment given to privately-owned healthcare facilities at the expense of public health institutions.
Furthermore, Mogotio MP Reuben Kiborek argued that in order to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), it was essential to streamline the NHIF board of management and directors.
Following the exposé, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, on June 19, suspended eight NHIF managers suspected to be part of the cartels defrauding the fund.
"I have made a special request with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to liaise with NHIF to carry out investigations with the aim of finding out how these cartels siphon resources. This report should be availed within seven days," the CS added.
Some of the hospitals linked in the scandal were 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 in Mwea, Jekim Hospital in Nkupu Imenti South, Beirut Pharmacy and Medical Centre and Amal Hospital Limited in Nairobi.
Further, she called for the lifestyle audit of all NHIF staff for each of them to explain their wealth.
