Three charged over Sh0.5 million NHIF medical fraud

Three people have been charged with conspiring to defraud the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) of Sh500,000.

Hellen Kemunto, Jane Njoki and Antony Kyalo appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku but denied the charges.

They were each released on Sh80,000 bail or Sh100,000 bond and one surety.

Kyalo was also accused of obtaining Sh50,000 from Stanley Macharia under the pretext that he could get him a medical cover.

The accused, who are being represented by lawyer Evans Nyaberi, will appear in court for the pretrial conference when the case is mentioned on December 15.

NHIF has been cracking down on cases of fraud involving the use of fake cards and dubious claims, which have led to loss of millions of shillings.

Two years ago, a woman was arrested for impersonation in Kajiado after allegedly using her sister’s NHIF card while passing off as a beneficiary.

Earlier this year, a man was charged at a magistrate’s court in Kisumu on allegations of defrauding the fund of Sh5 million.

Nahashon Agudha was accused of heading a group that was duping institutions all over the country using false NHIF documents to receive services and drugs.

The NHIF board has previously said it has embarked on wide ranging reforms meant to restore public confidence in the institution.