EACC Announces Course of Action after Sh 171M Theft at NHIF

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has confirmed undertaking probe into the supposed grand theft at the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

This was after Health CS Susan Nakhumicha confirmed disappearance of KSh 171 million from the fund following an audit carried out in 67 hospitals between January and December, 2023.

The monies got lost in fraudulent claims masterminded by 27 health facilities out of the 67 under probe during the foregoing period.

"Twenty-seven of the 67 were found to have been involved in fraudulent activities resulting in a loss of approximately KSh 171 million," said Nakhumicha in a presser.

The amount was lost through false claims and abnormally high numbers of eye surgeries in hospitals with known less capacities.

According to Nakhumicha, the conduct of the 27 facilities was emblematic of the indictment in the hospitals trading with the NHIF.

Weighing in on the multi-million shilling scandal, the anti-graft agency explained it had been undertaking its investigations into it.

The EACC assured that those implicated in the matter would be subjected to justice in a bid to recover the monies.

"The commission has been investigating this matter. Culpable public officials, private persons and entities will be dealt with in accordance with the law. This includes prosecution and/or forfeiture of any monies found to have been fraudulently acquired from public coffers," said the agency.

Nakhumicha while expressing her frustration after the looting vowed to expose those believed to have deprived the health fund of its monies.

"I won't fear. In the next few days, I am going to name the people who are frauding the  NHIF. People think we are doing empty talks. I want to assure all that no one will steal from the government," she said.

The scandal is also under a probe by the departmental health committees in both the Senate and National Assembly.