Health, Community Development, Gender, the Elderly and Children minister Ummy Mwalimu.
Health, Community
Development, Gender, the Elderly and Children minister Ummy Mwalimu
yesterday suspended NHIF acting director general Michael Mhando and
three other top officials over the alleged loss of about Sh3 billion
from the fund’s account in Mara Region.
This
follows an investigation by the Prevention and Combating of Corruption
Bureau (PCCB) which revealed that the money was stolen from the NHIF
account over a period of three years from April 2013.
Mr
Michael Mhando was shown the door alongside the director of Finance and
Economic Resources, Mr Deusdedit Rutaaza, and the Information
Technology director, Mr Ally Othman. The NHIF internal auditor, Ms Anne
Maneno, was one of the suspended officials.
Ms
Mwalimu ordered a special audit by the Controller and Auditor General
into the NHIF general account in an effort to protect the image of the
fund.
According
to a media statement released yesterday, Ms Mwalimu suspended the NHIF
officials to pave the way for an investigation into the alleged loss of
the funds which were meant for payment of claims of the NHIF members.
She
urged heads of departments and directors of public insitutions falling
under her docket to refrain from corrupt practices and create a
foundation for rooting out the vice instead.
Last
month, the NHIF was in the news over a Sh3 billon scandal that was said
to have led to a councillor for Iringo Ward in Mara Region, Mr Juma
Hamisi, to flee.
There
was an ongoing investigation by the PCCB before the latest sacking of
the top officials came to the fore. The PCCB boss in Mara, Mr Holle
Makungu, said last month that the Bureau was interviewing various
sources to establish those who were behind the fraud.
Source:TheCitizen