The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched probe on the controversial recruitment process of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) Chief Executive Officer Peter Kamunyo.
The anti-graft commission says it is investigating allegations of irregular recruitment of Dr Kamunyo who was appointed as NHIF CEO in April 2020.
“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.
Kamunyo took over on April 14, 2020, from then acting CEO Nicodemus Odongo following the sacking of Geoffrey Mwangi.
Kamunyo’s appointment was announced by the NHIF board through an advertisement in the local dailies.
The search for the NHIF boss lasted two years with the position having been re-advertised in February despite a shortlist of three candidates after a series of interviews was forwarded to former Health minister Sicily Kariuki.
The hiring of Kamunyo made the NHIF one of the few State-backed corporations to hire a CEO within weeks in a country where recruiting for a similar position is normally drawn-out.
In a letter dated October 4, 2022 and addressed to the NHIF chairman Lewis Nguyai, the EACC demands to be furnished with 10 documents relating to the hiring of Dr Kamunyo.
“The commission wishes to verify these allegations and requests that you provide us with certified copies of the lists of shortlisted candidates, shortlisting panel’s report and recommendations, interview panel’s report and recommendation and candidates score sheets,” Patrick Owiny, who signed for commission secretary Twalib Mbarak, says in the letter.
Further, the EACC is asking for academic/professional qualification requirements for the chief executive officer post.
It has specifically asked Nguyai to provide academic and professional qualifications of Kamunyo.
Additionally, 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 Kamunyo.
EACC gave the health insurer upto October 11, 2022 to provide the outlined documents.
