NHIF CEO Dr. Peter Kamunyo The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched a probe into the hiring of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) CEO Peter Kamunyo.
Reports have emerged that the anti-graft watchdog is investigating the irregular recruitment of Dr Kamunyo who was appointed to the position in April 2020, replacing Nicodemus Odongo who had been in an acting position since November 2018.
Mr Odongo’s predecessor, Geoffrey Mwangi, was kicked out of the NHIF corner office following allegations of corruption and mismanagement. “The Commission, pursuant to its constitutional and statutory mandate… is investigating allegations of irregular recruitment of Dr Peter Kamunyo Gathenge, Chief Executive Officer at the National Insurance Fund,” the EACC said in a letter. Before Dr Kamunyo’s appointment, the search for a new NHIF boss had lasted two years, with the position having been re-advertised in February.
After a series of hasty interviews, a shortlist of three candidates was forwarded to former Health minister Sicily Kariuki.
Dr Kamunyo’s recruitment was a rare case for a state corporation hiring a CEO within a few weeks as opposed to the much more common style of slow and drawn-out interviews.
In a letter dated October 4, 2022 and addressed to the NHIF chairman Lewis Nguyai, the EACC demands to be furnished with 10 documents involving the hiring of Dr Kamunyo.
They include copies of the lists of shortlisted candidates, short-listing panel’s report and recommendations, the interview panel’s report and recommendation as well as the candidates' score sheets.
They have also requested NHIF to furnish the anti-graft watchdog with the advertisements for the position of CEO issued in July 2019 and February 2020.
The EACC is also asking for academic/professional qualification requirements for the chief executive officer post.
It has specifically asked NHIF to provide academic and professional qualifications for Dr Kamunyo.
The commission also demanded special board minutes of the meeting held on March 20, 2020, the NHIF Human Resource Manual and the letter that appointed Dr Kamunyo.
It gave the NHIF upto October 11, 2022 to provide the listed documents.
The EACC probe comes at a bad time for Dr Kamunyo, who recently faced a vicious board fight over the lucrative secondary school medical cover.
In September, the NHIF board revealed that it will punish Dr Kamunyo for insubordination over the revocation of contracts for 17 healthcare providers under the scheme.
During the cancellation, Dr Kamunyo claimed that an audit unearthed irregularities under the Comprehensive Secondary School Students Medical Scheme, known as EduAfya.