How a Private Hospital Got Paid Sh 4.9 Million SHA False Claim Instead of sh 18,000

BY ERIC ABUGA

The Office of The Director of Public Prosecution has approved charges against the administration of St Mark Orthodox Hospital in Vihiga following a false claim of Sh 4.9 million paid through the Social Health Authority Scheme.

The revelations comes four days after the ODPP received a file from the Director of Criminal Investigations into the inquiry of alleged fraudulent claims made by certain health facilities across the Country.

The Hospital submitted a claim of Sh 4.916,800 and was paid the amount by SHA instead of the correct claim of Sh 18,000.

The hospital faces charges of; conspiracy to defraud, cheating, acquisitions of proceeds of crime and falsification of health documents contrary to section 48 (5) of the Social Health Insurance Act.

Desouza Fenley a Director at the Hospital will also face similar charges while the hospital's other Director Mark Sydon will face charges on consipracy to defraud and falsification of health documents.

Sammy Otieno, an employee of SHA will face two counts of conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to to commit a felony.

The statement by ODPP's Public Affairs and Corporate Communication Office also lists Jambo Jipya Medical Clinic in Kilifi County which submitted Sh 2 million worth of fraudulent claims.

The facility is to be charged with cheating, conspiracy to defraud, acquisitions of proceeds of crime and falsification of health documents contrary to section 48 (5) of the Social Health Insurance Act.

Patrick Kimuu Knaya and Faith Chepkururi, both Directors at the facility will also face five counts while Nadia Mbeyu and employe at the health facility will face charges of uttering false documents.

Pauline Wanjiru, an employee of the Kilifi facility faces fours charges including knowingly making false statements, forgery and fraudulent alteration of information..
Steven Okinyi Ojwang, Justine Braaka Glen and Maina Macharia, all employees of the Jambo Jipya Medical Clinic will each face four counts.

Saturday morning, the National Police Service issues a statement indicating that they had received a total of 1, 188 files from SHA and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council for Investigations.

The files pertains individuals, organizations and various parties believed to be involved in healthcare fraud.

"The files are in different stages of investigations. Currently we have five suspects in custody pending arraignment on Monday, October 6, 2025. Efforts to apprehend more suspects are underway following approval by the ODPP."