Suspended NHIF bosses released on Ksh.500K cash bail

Suspended National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Mwangi and Chief Finance Director Wilbert Kurgat were on Wednesday released after five days in police cells.

The two, who are out on a cash bail of Ksh.500,000 each were also directed to deposit their passports and not to leave the jurisdiction of the court as well as abide by any directions required by the Investigating Officer regarding the case.

While delivering the ruling, Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi stated that the accused persons do not have any record of absconding court when released on bond.

The prosecution had also not alluded to how the accused persons will interfere with witnesses as they (witnesses) have not even been mentioned in the case.

The release of the two NHIF bosses came hours after they were sent on compulsory leave that saw Nicodemus Odongo appointed acting CEO with Bernard Njenga taking over as acting Finance Director.

“The Board of Management of National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) has unanimously resolved to send the current Chief Executive Officer Mr. Geoffrey Mwangi and The Acting Director, Finance and Investments Mr. Wilbert Kurgat on compulsory leave pending the consideration of the Public Officer’s case under the Public Service Commission Act, No. 10 of 2017,” read a statement sent to newsrooms on Wednesday.

Mr. Mwangi and Mr. Kurgat have spent five nights in police custody since they were arrested on Friday and accused of failing to comply with a court order requiring them to produce any documents required by investigators who are probing alleged misappropriation of funds at the corporation.