The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health is set to launch a public inquiry into activities at the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). This has been prompted by the widespread allegation of collusion between NHIF officials and private healthcare facilities to defraud the national insurer. Speaking on Tuesday after an interactive meeting with top management at the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), the Chairperson of the Committee Hon. Robert Pukose (Endebess) expressed concern over prevalent claims that high-ranking NHIF management is involved with unscrupulous hospitals in defrauding the fund through unsubstantiated and fictitious claims.

According to Hon. Pukose, the only way to salvage the deteriorating state of the fund is to launch a comprehensive investigation into these claims.

"As a Committee, we cannot turn a blind eye to the misappropriation of public resources within NHIF. The only path to uncover the truth behind the NHIF crisis is through a public inquiry," said Hon. Pukose.

He further added, "Next week, we will convene to establish the terms of reference for the inquiry and invite all relevant stakeholders to present their knowledge of the situation at NHIF."

The Committee will also explore the preferential treatment given to privately-owned healthcare facilities at the expense of public health institutions. 

Hon. (Prof) Guyo Jaldesa (Moyale) said, “It is inconceivable that a private hospital could perform more surgeries than renowned institutions such as Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), let alone both combined. Clearly, these claims are baseless”.

Supporting the proposal for a public inquiry, Hon. Reuben Kiborek (Mogotio) acknowledged that fraudulent activities at the NHIF have persisted throughout history and have been shielded by a covert arrangement whereby NHIF branch managers shield the higher-ups at the headquarters.

“If we aim to establish Universal Health Insurance (UHC), we must address the deep-rooted corruption at NHIF, even if it entails removing the entire NHIF board of management and directors," he said.