Corruption must be fought in all sectors, says Atwoli

COTU Kenya General Secretary Francis Atwoli address a consultative  meeting between Cotu K Board and NHIF Top management-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo 

By Dickson Odhiambo

May 23, 2023

Corruption must be fought in all sectors, says Atwoli

Central Organization of Trade Union in Kenya has asked the Government of President Dr William Ruto to intensify the fight against the corruption in various sectors of the economy that includes health.

Cotu Kenya General Secretary Francis Atwoli says the runaway corruption has made the country lose huge sums of public funds which end of in the individual’s pocket.

Addressing participants during the official opening of a two day workshop between Cotu Kenya and the National Hospital Insurance Fund{NHIF} at Tom Mboya Labour College in Ksm today, Atwoli has challenged every Kenyan to begin fighting corruption from the lower level to the top if at all the anti-Graft war can be won in the country.

Atwoli says the President means well for this country especially on health issues across the country, adding that he must be supported on this initiative.

He says workers will always be losers when some people have appetite for their money in places like NHIF, adding that this is why corruption must be fought from all corners.

He says the issue of Universal Health Coverage {UHC} should be seriously taken into account and rolled out across the country under the new regime of Kenya Kwanza.

He adds that the Provision on a penalty when an employer fails to remit the deduction on NHIF is fully well welcomed as one of the proposed NHIF Regulations.

He further urges the senior management of NHIF to go back to the resolutions and empower health centers to serve Kenyans there using NHIF Cards.

“We need seriousness in this country on taming corruption across all the sectors in this country,” Atwali adds.

Kenyans are ready to contribute money but accountability is the issue which must be addressed.

Atwoli warned those in the authority to fully tame corruption in the country for Kenyans to be served effectively so as to see the value of their funds contributed.

“There is need to reexamined ourselves as Kenyans and talk about corruption easily. This is the wasy to go,” Atwoli says.

Atwoli maintains that Strong NHIF will really help Kenyans if well managed, adding that happened at NHIF in the past was only possible in a movie and such should never re-occur at all.

Atwoli at the same time told the County Governments to fully respect Doctors and pay them promptly their monthly salaries and other allowances.

He adds that medics needs to go back to the National Government where their issues will be purely handled by the National Government.

NHIF Chairman Board of Directors Eng Michael Kamau says the new Board can be entrusted in turning around things within NHIF.

He says equitable and accessible health care services is very essential indeed.

He has reiterated the Government’s full in ensuring that the health sector in the country is on the right direction.