Nyali MP indicted over National Health Insurance Fund dues

Mombasa, Kenya: Nyali MP was on Tuesday charged at the Mombasa Law Court with failure to remit mandatory statutory contribution of his employees to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Hezron Awiti Bolo was charged for failure to release Sh6 million, which include penalties accrued for not remitting the deduction from the employee of his five companies.

Before Mombasa Chief Magistrate Stephen Riech, Awiti was accused of not forwarding the money for a nine months period from April 25, 2014 to January 12, 2015.

"On the diverse dates between April 25, 2014 and January 12, 2015 in Mombasa area, being a director of Habo Agencies, Mamba Village Nyali, Awanad Enterprises, AG Securities and Pan Frights and Logistics without lawful excuses failed/refused to release standard contribution of Sh384,200 and penalty of Sh5,680,400 to the fund within the time and manner prescribed by the Act," stated the charge sheet.

On January 28, this year, Awiti was saved by a technicality after the court rejected a push by NHIF for an arrest warrant for his failure to appear in court. Yesterday, he appeared before the chief magistrate in his chambers.

Awiti, however, pleaded not guilty and was released on a Sh100,000 own bond.

Meanwhile, a warrant of arrest has been issued against a director of a construction company for failing to obey court summons to furnish NHIF officials with documents to show that he has remitted money.

Mombasa Chief Magistrate Maxwell Gacheru issued  a warrant of arrest to Masscon Construction Company Director Umesh Patel for failing to appear before him on January 28 at the law court.