The Social Health Authority (SHA) has denied reports that whistleblower Andrew Kipkurui Rotich was dismissed from his role after exposing a multibillion-shilling fraud scheme in the health sector.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 1, SHA chairperson Abdi Mohamed said Rotich is still working with the authority, now serving as a Senior Officer under transitional arrangements.
His earlier appointment as Deputy Director was nullified by the courts in May this year.
“Mr. Rotich has not lost his job. He remains an employee of the public service deployed to SHA, currently holding the position of Senior Officer,” Mohamed explained.
Following the court ruling, the authority re-advertised several senior positions, including Director, Deputy Director and Assistant Director. Mohamed noted that Rotich did not reapply for the Deputy Director post but instead sought the Assistant Director, Internal Audit position.
Recruitment records, the authority said, confirm he only filed one application and has not submitted an appeal over the matter.
The clarification comes after the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) questioned why Rotich’s name was missing from the shortlist for Deputy Director.
The institute has since called for an independent review of the hiring process and urged the government to guarantee Rotich’s safety and that of his family
Rotich’s whistleblowing had earlier led to the closure of more than 1,300 hospitals accused of fraudulent billing, a move that exposed loopholes in the health system.
ICPAK warned that the way his case is handled could discourage other professionals from speaking out on corruption and accountability.
