• She said any inconsistencies that will be flagged will be subjected to further investigations and attract legal measures.
• Wafula further suspended NHIF branch managers in the areas affected by fraud allegations.
Image: NHIF
All staff at the National Health Insurance Fund will have to undergo a lifestyle audit as the Ministry of Health seeks to combat the problem of fraud.
Health CS Susan Wafula said on Monday the exercise that will be conducted by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission will require the staff to explain their sources of wealth, which will be expected to be commensurate with their pay.
She said any inconsistencies that will be flagged will be subjected to further investigations and attract legal measures.
"We are going to commence an elaborate lifestyle audit on all staff of NHIF. This is to ensure that each member of staff can explain their wealth portfolio in consistency with their earnings," the CS said
"This will commence this month in conjunction with the EACC but will continue progressively to the end of the year."
Wafula further suspended NHIF branch managers in the areas affected by fraud allegations.
She on Monday further ordered NHIF board to commence investigations into the alleged fraud and present a preliminary report to her desk within the next 48 hours.
The investigations, according to the CS, will include inviting the whistleblower to shed light on the syndicate.
The CS has further directed the division of standards and regulations to take action and give a report.
"I have further made a special request to EACC to liaise with NHIF and carry out comprehensive investigations with the aim of finding out how these cartels syphon resources from Kenyans and from NHIF specifically and I hope this can be availed within the next seven days," the CS said.
To ensure that facilities suspected to be engaging in malpractice do not continue with their activities, the CS further instructed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board to commence investigations immediately and conclude within 48 hours on the families mentioned in the NTV expose.
"Within 24 hours starting now, the facilities are directed to immediately transfer their inpatients and evacuate their process. This will allow KMPDC to commence their inspections," the CS said
She said teams from the ministry will enforce a directive for closure should the inspection find them culpable and they will remain closed until investigations are concluded.