Scandal lands former NHIF bosses in court
What you need to know:
- The case brings to conclusion more than year-long investigations into NHIF managers and two medical service providers
- EACC vice-chairperson Irene Keino on Tuesday said the main suspects had been identified
Four people, including former national health insurer boss Richard Kerich, will appear in court on Wednesday in connection with the loss of millions of shillings meant for civil servants’ medical cover.
Mr Kerich surrendered himself to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) late Tuesday afternoon.
The EACC detectives had earlier seized NHIF assistant manager David Chingi and directors of Meridian Medical Centre Peter Wambugu and Ndiba Wairioko over the loss of Sh116.9 million from the Sh4.3 billion medical cover for civil servants and disciplined forces.
Former National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) chief executive Marwa Chacha was on Tuesday still at large.
The case brings to conclusion more than year-long investigations into NHIF managers and two medical service providers.
The arrests came more than a year after retired President Kibaki ordered investigations into the scandal in May 2012 when it became clear medical service providers who received the biggest amounts of money from the kitty did not have the outlets they claimed to own.
Mr Kerich and five others were then suspended.
As investigations progressed, it emerged that Meridian Medical Centre received Sh116.9 million, with Sh30 million of the cash allocated to clinics which it had yet to open.
The biggest amount, however, went to Clinix Health Care which received Sh202 million, of which Sh91 million went to non-existent clinics.
Clinix directors were also being sought on Tuesday.
EACC vice-chairperson Irene Keino on Tuesday said the main suspects had been identified.
“The EACC has today taken into custody two directors of Meridian Medical Centre and an assistant manager of NHIF over allegations of corruption that led to massive losses,” she said.
