Former Social Health Authority (SHA) acting CEO Robert Ingasira and four others face fraud charges. They allegedly defrauded the agency of KSh17.5 million through false medical claims linked to a private clinic in Homa Bay County.
Court records show the suspects filed fake claims to SHA, pretending they were payments for medical services. Investigators found the transactions were fraudulent and part of a plan to steal public funds.
The five appeared before a Nairobi court on Tuesday and denied the charges. Prosecutors accused them of abusing their offices to approve illegal payments. The court released each of them on a cash bail of KSh500,000.
The prosecution said the group worked with officials at a private clinic to process fake claims. The fraud occurred between 2022 and 2023, when SHA was still known as the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Mr. Ingasira’s prosecution is part of ongoing investigations into financial misconduct within SHA. The new agency, which replaced NHIF, has faced criticism over weak oversight and poor management of health funds.
The court ordered the prosecution to share all evidence with the defense before the next session. The case will be mentioned again next month.
Meanwhile, anti-corruption agencies are pursuing those behind fraudulent medical claims. Officials have warned that anyone who misuses social health funds will face the law.
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