Gachagua thanks Ruto for ‘restoring the dignity’ of ex-CS Kamau through NHIF board appointment

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has thanked President William Ruto for appointing former Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau as the new chairperson of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) board.

Terming Eng. Kamau as “a distinguished public servant”, DP Gachagua on Friday said the ex-CS had worked hard but instead “persecuted and taken through hell” by the State.

“Thank you, my Boss, H.E. President @WilliamsRuto, for restoring the dignity of Eng. Michael Kamau. A distinguished Public Servant who put in years of committed service to our great Nation of Kenya, he was persecuted and taken through hell by the very Goverment he had served,” the DP said in a tweet.

“For 8 years, the son of Kenya has not known peace.”

According to Gachagua, Kamau’s appointment will make NHIF efficient.

“The appointment of Eng. Kamau to chair the board of @nhifkenya brings experience and efficiency to an institution critical in implementing the Kenya Kwanza Plan of realizing Universal Health Coverage for all Kenyans,” he said.

In a gazette notice on Friday, President Ruto said Kamau's new role takes effect immediately, adding that he will serve for a period of three years. 

Kamau replaced Lewis Nguyai who served in the position since February 2021 after his appointment by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The former CS was suspended from Kenyatta’s Cabinet on March 28, 2015 and was charged in June 2015 with two counts of abuse of office and failure to comply with applicable procedures and guidelines relating to management of public funds.

He was cited in the “List of Shame” by the then Director of Prosecution, Keriako Tobiko, among the ministers who engaged in corruption.

He was further accused of turning a blind eye when the ministry engineers and construction company Kundan Singh ignored a consultant’s plan during construction of the Kamukunywa Kaaptama -Kapsokwony Sirisia road in Bungoma County that led to the loss of public funds.

Kamau has since put up a spirited fight against the prosecution, insisting it is a witch hunt based on pure malice.