Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has announced that National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) staff will have to undergo a lifestyle audit to explain their wealth in relation to their earnings, following the recent NHIF scandal.

“We are going to commence an elaborate lifestyle audit of all NHIF staff, to ensure every staff can explain their wealth portfolio in consistency with their earnings. This will commence this month in conjunction with EACC (Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission) but will continue progressively to the end of the year,” CS Wafula said.

The CS added that if the audit flags out any inconsistency, the staff in question will face legal measures.

In an investigative report by a local media station, it is alleged that hospitals have been stealing from Kenyans by inflating bills, which they then charge to the NHIF.

“I have had a meeting with the chair of the NHIF board and instructed him that they commence an investigation, including inviting the whistleblower, to share details regarding this ruthless cartel and ask the board to take action against the culpable staff,” she said.

“I wish to express my deepest disappointment and contestation at the staff in my Ministry who may be part of this callous syndicate.”

As a consequence, all NHIF branch managers in the affected areas have been suspended pending a thorough investigation.

“To ensure that facilities suspected of these ills do not continue siphoning resources from patients and government, I hereby direct that all branch managers from all the suspected areas be suspended immediately pending investigations,” she ordered.

Additionally, CS Wafula instructed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board to immediately commence investigations on the several facilities within 48 hours.

Some of the facilities that the CS fingered include Jaykim Medical Center in Meru Central, St Peter Orthopaedic and Surgical Hospital in Kiambu County, Afya Bora Hospital in Kirinyaga, Joy Nursing and Maternity Hospital in Kamukunji, Afya Bora Hospital Annex in Mwea among others.

The mentioned facilities were given 24 hours to transfer their inpatients and evacuate their premises, to allow KMPDC to commence their inspection. The CS stated that the facilities will be closed if the KMPDC finds them culpable after investigations.

NHIF scandal reports

The Health CS also demanded that a preliminary report be shared with her within 48 hours by the NHIF boss. She also directed the Ministry’s division in charge of standards and regulations, to take immediate action and share a report regarding the same with her.

Further, the CS requested EACC to work hand in hand with NHIF in order to carry out comprehensive investigations. According to the CS, the two government bodies will partner to find out how the cartels siphoned resources from Kenyans and by extension NHIF.

During her address, CS Wafula said that she hopes to get the investigation report by EACC and NHIF within seven days.

“These kinds of investigations are to avoid situations where facility owners use underhand tactics to rob the country of resources, that would otherwise be utilized to ensure health care management nationwide,” the CS said

While explaining the measures that the Health Ministry has taken to counter the ongoing rot, the CS said that “they have embarked on a verification exercise of all payments across the country to flag out any inconsistencies that result in abuse of offices and theft.”