By :Mwalimu Muthisya
Kenya’s fight against cartels is a battle that has persisted for decades. In almost every sector of the economy, cartels have thrived, holding sway over industries critical to the nation’s development.
From tea, coffee, and milk, to sugar, government ministries, and even the Ministry of Health, cartels have entrenched themselves in Kenya’s systems.
It is undeniable: cartels are deeply embedded in the fabric of this nation, driven by selfish motives that often prioritize personal gain over the common good.
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A prime example of this is the Ministry of Health. For years, the Ministry’s headquarters, Afya House, earned the infamous moniker “Mafia House” among its own employees, a reflection of the pervasive corruption that has marred its operations, particularly within its procurement department.
Corruption here is not a recent issue—it has been a long-standing problem that continues to cripple the ministry’s ability to deliver quality healthcare.
The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), originally established as a noble initiative to provide healthcare for contributors and their dependents, has long been a breeding ground for corruption.
Initially intended to benefit the Kenyan people, it quickly became a cash cow for private health facilities and dishonest NHIF employees.
These unscrupulous individuals inflated medical bills, claimed reimbursements for services never rendered, and effectively looted the fund, all while the nation watched helplessly.
The NHIF, despite monthly contributions from millions of Kenyans, racked up a staggering debt of over KES 30 billion—an amount that raises serious questions about its management and operations.
How did this happen? The answer lies in systemic corruption. Many private health facilities, for instance, falsely claimed to perform more medical procedures than public hospitals like Kenyatta National Hospital.
The scale of the fraud was so massive that today, those who benefited from this corruption are fiercely resisting the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda. Why? Because the new system offers no room for the corrupt practices that once lined their pockets.
The resistance to the actualization of UHC is rooted in fear. With the absence of loopholes, the days of easy money are over.
It’s time to confront the truth: Kenya’s health sector, much like other critical sectors, has been hijacked by cartels that undermine progress, and it’s only by eradicating these cartels that we can build a healthier, more just society.
