- Heads could roll at the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) as the new no-nonsense former Transport CS Eng. Michael Kamau assumes office as Chairman Board of Directors. Eng. Kamau has called for speedy and conclusive investigations into an alleged Karen land deal where Ksh. 93,712,675 was paid out by the previous management.
Eng. Kamau was appointed by President William Ruto through a gazette Notice dated December 23rd 2022 revoking the appointment of former MP Lewis Nguyai who was appointed by then President Uhuru Kenyatta in February 2021. The man expected to shade more light on the matter is NHIF Chief Executive Officer, Dr Peter Kamunyo Gathege and immediate former chairperson Hannah Muriithi. She was the board chair between April 2018 and February 2021.
Also on the radar over the deal is former CEO Dr Kamunyo. Investigations reveal that NHIF paid Ksh. 93,712,675 for land measuring 10 hectares situated in Karen. Interestingly, NHIF management rushed into the deal without conducting a background check and due diligence.
It has however been discovered that the parcel of land is in dispute. There are claims that there was fraud in the whole process as the NHIF management at the time colluded with land brokers to buy the disputed plot. Eng. Kamau is reported to have asked investigating agencies to move with speed to conclude investigations and to prosecute any person who may have been identified as having breached the law.
Preliminary reports by the DCI had indicated that one Peter David Leparakwo is the legitimate owner of the 23-acre piece of land and that NHIF holds fraudulent documents. Reports further indicate that Title Deed IR. No. 152577 and LR.24968/2 are registered in favour of Peter David Leparakwo who is the registered proprietor of the land.
The NHIF management who entered into the fraudulent transaction could be cited for offences such as fraudulent conspiracy, forgeries, utterings, abuse of office other offences.
