Former Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Social Health Authority (SHA), Robert Ingasira, was on Wednesday arrested in Naivasha over his alleged role in a multi-million shilling health scam.
Ingasira is accused of approving a fake medical bill worth Ksh17.5 million to Archprime Medical Clinic in Homa Bay County. The arrest follows weeks of detective investigations into fraudulent payments under the State health insurance scheme.
Sources near the investigation pointed out that detectives were also searching for Elijah Wachira, another former SHA boss, who was allegedly involved in the same racket.
The pair is among several officials and private health providers who are accused of conspiring to defraud the Social Health Authority. They face multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud, embezzlement of public funds, and abuse of office.
Detectives also arrested Rosemary Daraja and Peter Abuna, who were allegedly involved in the processing of the dubious Archprime Medical Clinic claims, along with Ingasira.
In Nairobi County, Justus Odhiambo Ouma and Vera Atieno Otieno were arrested for allegedly making false claims worth Ksh1.1 million under Vebeneza Enterprise Medical Clinic.
Three officers Bill Clinton Ochieng, Cynthia Odhiambo, and Phelix Otieno were arrested at Rachuonyo East Sub-County Hospital over a false claim of Ksh535,840.
Noah Odhiambo Were was, however, arrested over another Ksh315,840 false claim at Nyatoto Health Centre.
The arrests came after the perusal and approval of charges by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The suspects are to be charged as investigators widen the inquiry into what could be one of the biggest health fund scandals to hit the newly established SHA.
