MPs threaten to surcharge NHIF boss over Sh200m payments

The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) chief executive Peter Kamunyo and Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai could be forced to reimburse Sh200 million that was paid to employees who exceeded their insurance cover limits without approval.

Yesterday, the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) summoned the two to appear before members.

MPs Otiende Amollo (Rarieda) and Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula) noted that the matter had been pending for a long time and ought to be addressed once and for all.

“It is important that we summon the NHIF Chief Executive and IG. Let them come here and explain this,” said Otiende.

Oundo added: “If they cannot account for this money, then they must refund it.”

The decision by the committee came after Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho said NHIF had refused to share with the ministry the list of the beneficiaries of the Sh200 million.

Kibicho, who had appeared before the committee to respond to audit queries for the 2020/2021 financial year, said the ministry would withhold the money until NHIF provides the payment schedules they relied on to pay the affected persons.

He added that NHIF failed to contact either the IG or the standing committee set up to approve such payments before it paid the claims.

“We have been struggling to get the list from NHIF because they are the ones who paid yet the IG had not approved it,” he said.