The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has arraigned five directors of two healthcare facilities before the Milimani Law Courts in connection with an alleged fraud scheme targeting the Social Health Authority (SHA).

This involved fake patient claims, falsified medical records, and payments obtained through false statements.

The arrests followed a formal complaint by the SHA after a forensic audit uncovered widespread irregularities in medical claims submitted by several contracted healthcare providers.

The audit also established that some of the facilities implicated had previously been closed by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council for non-compliance but continued to operate under active SHA contracts.

Investigations revealed that Nissi Medical Centre allegedly received more than KSh 38.7 million through fraudulent claims, while Dawa Front Healthcare Services is suspected of fraudulently obtaining more than KSh 2.5 million.

Detectives also intercepted additional pending claims worth over KSh 8.1 million before payment was processed.

The five accused persons arraigned before the Milimani Law Courts are Nissi Medical Centre directors Dominic Atieno and Peter Atieno, and Dawa Front Healthcare Services directors Eugine Ochieng, Enos Osire, and Elija Otieno.

They face charges including conspiracy to commit a felony, making false statements to obtain benefits under the Social Health Insurance Act, and acquisition and use of proceeds of crime contrary to the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Detectives said they are continuing to pursue additional suspects believed to be linked to the fraud scheme.