DPP orders prosecution of 8 hospital owners over SHA fraud
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has approved the prosecution of eight hospital owners and a regulatory official over an alleged scheme to fraudulently register health facilities and siphon payments from the Social Health Authority (SHA).
In a statement issued Wednesday evening, the ODPP said it had reviewed investigation files submitted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) between January 28 and February 24 and found sufficient evidence to charge multiple individuals and institutions.
According to prosecutors, the suspects are accused of conspiring to defraud the public health insurer through irregular facility registrations, operating without valid licences and obtaining money by false pretences. Some also face charges relating to acquisition of proceeds of crime.
At Danaba Care Hospital, directors Mohammed Kulow Ali and Hassan Adan Ibrahim will face charges of conspiracy to defraud and operating an unlicensed health facility.
The two are also linked to Adfaal Kids Care Medical Centre, where Mohamed Mohamud Sheikh, Ali Ahmed Adan and Mohamednoor Ismael Omar have similarly been approved for prosecution over conspiracy to defraud, operating without a licence and acquisition of proceeds of crime.
Former directors of Kamishawa Medical Centre, Kamsia Hassan Kala and Hawa Alinoor Malo, are set to be charged with conspiracy to defraud and related offences tied to alleged fraudulent registration and payment claims.
At Kaafi Nursing Home, proprietors Ibrahim Rashid and Ahmed Mohamud Adan will face counts of obtaining money by false pretences and operating an unlicensed facility. The nursing home itself has also been named as an accused entity.
Three proprietors of Mama Nerbeel Nursing Home — Naima Sheikh Ali, Abdihakim Sheikh Ali and Adan Abdikhaliq Abdullah — have likewise been approved for prosecution on charges of obtaining money by false pretences and running an unlicensed health facility.
Ali Edin Ibrahim, the owner of Alati Nursing Home, will face similar charges, with the institution separately listed in the case. Ismail Omar Mohammed, proprietor of Julun Nursing Home, and the facility itself will also face charges of obtaining money by false pretences and operating without the required licence.
Dimtu Nursing Home Limited and its director, Yussuf Siat Jelle, have been cited for conspiracy to defraud, operating an unlicensed health facility and acquisition of proceeds of crime linked to fraudulent claims and payments.
Also facing prosecution is Harun Liluma, an employee of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC). He is accused of unauthorised access to a computer system, abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud and computer fraud.
Prosecutors allege that Liluma used his position at the regulatory body to facilitate irregular registrations and enable payments to several of the implicated facilities.
