Now Nyong’o lifts sacking of NHIF bosses
Medical Services minister Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o on Sunday reinstated the NHIF board and its chief executive who were sacked by acting Civil Service head Francis Kimemia.
Board chairman Richard Muga remains on suspension, he said. But Mr Kimemia late on Sunday night warned the sacked officials to keep away from the NHIF premises.
“The suspended team should stay away from the offices,” said Mr Kimemia in a brief but terse statement to newsrooms.
Mr Kimemia also froze any transactions between NHIF and the firms that benefited from the Sh4.2 billion medical scheme for civil servants.
“The government has suspended financial transactions involving NHIF payments to any of the firms. This follows the decision to suspend the board to allow investigations...this should allay fears and restore public confidence,” he said.
Mr Kimemia sent the board packing on Saturday to pave way for investigations into alleged malpractice at the national health insurer. (READ: Troubled NHIF Board suspended)
This came amid reports that 33 medical facilities owned by Clinix Healthcare Limited that was given Sh202 million for treatment of civil servants had not been licensed by January 20.
Clinix is one of the two health providers MPs said did not have the capacity to serve civil servants.
On Sunday, Prof Nyong’o said Mr Kimemia had no powers to “micro-manage” his ministry.
“I want to state very clearly, as the Minister for Medical Services, that the status quo remains following my decision on Thursday.
“The board and the CEO are under instructions to continue with their work without any interference by any other person,” he told journalists in Nairobi on Sunday.
He wondered why Mr Kimemia had not taken similar action when the Kenya Ports Authority, De La Rue and the National Housing Corporation were embroiled in scandals.
“Similar allegations have been made in other ministries in this government and I have not seen Mr Kimemia taking over the responsibility of the ministers,” he said.
Prof Nyong’o claimed Mr Kimemia acted after meeting with Central Organisation of Trade Unions secretary-general Francis Atwoli, Prof Muga and his assistant minister Kambi Kazungu. (READ: Take responsibility over NHIF saga, Nyong'o told)
He said the three alleged the new NHIF rates were a scheme by ODM to raise money for its election campaign. The minister said he was also accused of conniving with NHIF chief executive Richard Kerich to embezzle funds.
On Thursday, there was drama at NHIF when Mr Kerich was sent packing by Prof Muga, but was reinstated minutes later by Prof Nyong’o. (READ: NHIF boss is sacked in day of high drama)
Prof Muga also suspended four other managers and appointed Mr George Midiwo, a brother of Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo, to act as CEO.
But Prof Nyong’o revoked the orders and instead suspended Prof Muga. Mr Kimemia suspended Mr Kerich and the board in what he described as an attempt to restore order.
“This will pave the way for the appointment of a caretaker board and investigations into alleged malpractices,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (MPDB) says some of the clinics contracted by the NHIF started operating before they were licensed and registered.
“Kindly note that information received in this office indicates that you are using letters of acknowledgement of applications as a licence to operate some of your unlicensed facilities. Kindly stop that practice,” says a letter by the MPDB chief executive Daniel Yumbya.
The management of Clinix Healthcare was asked to ensure all its facilities were inspected by medical officers of health and reports submitted to the board together with names and certified copies of professional certificates of doctors in charge.
A spot check by the Nation on Sunday could not locate some of the Clinix Healthcare clinics allocated millions of shillings.
In Kiambu, the Nation did not find any Clinix premises despite a list issued by NHIF showing that there are two in the town. One of them was given Sh3.26 million.
Mr Joseph Kimani, a resident, said he has never heard of Clinix. In Nandi, there was no Clinix in the town, contrary to NHIF claims. The centre was allocated Sh521,328.
In Kapsabet, there’s no Clinix facility or Ketan Building as claimed by the insurer. “We don’t have such a building in this town and I have not come across such a hospital. I just heard about it in the news,” said Mr Geoffrey Kirui, a trader in the town.
In Eldoret, only one clinic was operating, though records show two such facilities were allocated Sh4,07 million.
The firm is refurbishing a building in Migori, while in Kisumu, the Clinix centre said to be located at Rift Valley Railways’ Building has moved to another building.
According to the RVR Kisumu station master Dishon Omina, the centre moved two months ago to Nar-Naryan building.
At the same time, Party of Action leader Raphael Tuju asked Prof Nyong’o to come clean on the scandal.
“The buck definitely stops somewhere because even the board is appointed by some authority. These people should explain to Kenyans what is actually going on,” he said.
Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando called for Prof Nyong’o’s resignation. “Prof Nyong’o has clearly shown his defensive hand.
“He should resign or be sacked. Objective investigation cannot be done while he sits at Afya House,” said Mr Kabando, who is also the Sports assistant minister.
Mr Atwoli supported the suspension of the NHIF board and the chief executive officer. “It is the government’s duty as a custodian of public funds to ensure that workers’ contributions do not end up in the pockets of a few individuals,” said the Cotu boss.
Reported by Peter Ngetich, Patrick Mayoyo, Dennis Odunga, Tom Matoke, Eric Wainaina, Philemon Suter, Jonathan Manyindo, Zahra Rashid, George Kikami, Samuel Karanja, Antony Kitimo, Peter Obuya, Elisha Otieno, Stella Cherono and Charles Wanyoro
