Death threats hit NHIF probe team

Intrigues surround a parliamentary investigation into alleged fraud in the civil servants medical scheme with claims that the final report was “watered down”.

Allegations of a conspiracy to subdue the report by those implicated and their allies were made on Thursday as committee chairman Robert Monda claimed that his life was in danger.

“My life is in danger. I have asked the relevant authorities for better security but nothing has been done, yet I am doing this for Kenyans. Are they waiting for me to die so that they can shed crocodile tears?” he asked.

The chairman said he had been threatened by anonymous callers in the last three weeks, and suspected that these were people out to cover up the truths behind the controversial first quarter of the implementation of the Sh4.2 billion medical scheme.

The Nyaribari Chache MP had earlier notified the House that he was ready to table the committee’s report but was awaiting the Speaker’s clearance.

Nyando MP Fred Outa also reported receiving death threats during the investigation.

It also emerged that there was bitter infighting among members of the committee.

“The business interests are too much,” said one member who did not want to be quoted.

Sources told the Nation that one MP refused to sign the final report, citing resolutions that “were not agreed” on by all.

He insisted that members should sign each page of the report to affirm their agreement with all the contents.

The member is said to have presented his case to the Speaker on Thursday as he opposed the tabling of the report in its current form.

The matter was consequently referred to the chairman of Parliament’s departmental committees for direction.

Members are trading accusations with those supporting the report accusing their opponents of insisting that some names be struck out.

Tempers are said to have flared up at the committee’s retreat in Naivasha last weekend where the team was compiling its findings.

MPs in the committee were said to have been under pressure from colleagues who lobbied for their allies’ protection.

A copy of the original recommendations arrived at in Naivasha, seen by the Nation shows the team resolved that the Attorney-General should report to Parliament within three months the identities of directors and shareholders of Pharma Investment Ltd and TBL Mirror Fund (BV), shareholders of Clinix Healthcare Ltd and Meridian, respectively. (Read: Nyong’o, Otieno face NHIF probe)

Among those recommended for investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission are former NHIF chief executive officer Richard Kerich, the NHIF Board, the ministers of Medical Services, Public Service, Public Health, the PS Medical Services, the Director of Medical Service and the Registrar-General.