By Dorothy Musyoka
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has charged eight individuals and a health facility in connection with a Ksh. 7 million fraud involving the Social Health Authority (SHA).
According to the ODPP the suspects are accused of enganging in multiple offences including conspiracy to commit a felony, fraudulent alteration and falsification of information.
“The accused persons, namely Markdhillion Mutsotso, an employee of St. Mark Orthodox Health Centre Limited; Sammy Otieno; Patrick Kanya, Directors at Jambo Jipya Medical Clinic; Faith Chepkurui, Co-Director at Jambo Jipya Medical Clinic; Steven Okinyi and Justine Baraka, both clinical officers; Pauline Wanjiru, a nurse; Naida Mbeyu, a receptionist at Jambo Jipya Medical Clinic; and Jambo Jipya Medical Clinic face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit a felony, fraudulent alteration and falsification of information, acquisition and use of proceeds of crime, cheating, forgery, uttering false documents, and falsification of health records,” stated the ODPP.
According to the prosecution, Kanya, Chepkurui, Okinyi, Baraka, Wanjiru, Mbeyu, and Jambo Jipya Medical Clinic conspired to falsify medical information, leading to the irregular payment of Ksh. 2,032,680 by SHA.
The offences are alleged to have occurred between 1st November 2024 and 30th June 2025 at Jambo Jipya Medical Clinic in Mtwapa, Kilifi County.
Separately, Mutsotso is accused of conspiring to defraud SHA of Ksh. 5,128,400 between October 2024 and June 2025 at St. Mark Orthodox Health Centre Limited in Chavakali, Vihiga County.
The accused persons appeared before Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina, where they all pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court released them on a bond of Ksh. 600,000 each pending further hearing.
The case will be mentioned on 21st October 2025 for further directions.