By Dorothy Musyoka
In a dramatic turn of events, former Isiolo South MP Hon. Abdi Tepo and his wife, Halima Gura Roka, a Quality Assurance Officer at the now-defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), were arrested on Thursday 25th July 2024.
The arrest followed an incident where the former MP reportedly opened fire at Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives during a search operation at his residence.
“The couple was arrested on Thursday afternoon after the MP purported to open fire at EACC detectives who had gone to his residence for a search operation targeting his wife, a prime suspect in the multi-million NHIF graft scandal under investigation by the Commission,” stated EACC.
The search led to the recovery of two briefcases filled with US dollars, estimated to be worth millions. Additionally, assorted chemicals in both powder and liquid form, suspected to be used in the production of counterfeit notes, were discovered.
“During the operation, detectives recovered two briefcases full of US dollars, estimated to be in millions, and assorted chemicals (in powder and liquid form) suspected to be used for making fake notes. Samples of the notes tested at the EACC Integrated Financial Forensic Lab were fake,” noted EACC.
Following the operation, the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at the EACC Police Station handed over the former MP, his wife, and the seized items including the fake notes, a Ceska Pistol with an expired firearm permit, and the assorted chemicals to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), under whose jurisdiction the matter now falls.
The EACC operation was part of a broader investigation targeting seven prime suspects in the NHIF scam. Among these suspects are the MP’s wife, a former NHIF Quality Assurance Officer, the Eastleigh NHIF Branch Manager, and five Directors of Beirut Pharmacy.
Beirut Pharmacy is accused of fraudulently obtaining Ksh.199 million from NHIF through fictitious claims facilitated by NHIF officials.
However the EACC remains committed to ensuring accountability and justice in the wake of this scandal.