ICPAK claims auditors targeted for exposing financial malpractices

Kenya risks undermining its corruption war in the health sector if professionals who uncover malpractice are targeted, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) warns.

ICPAK questioned the treatment of Andrew Kipkirui Rotich, a senior auditor who was allegedly dropped from the Social Health Authority (SHA) for exposing irregular medical invoicing at the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Rotich, who has been an ICPAK member since 2012, was part of a forensic audit team that flagged suspicious billings that cost taxpayers millions.

However, following a court-ordered review of SHA’s recruitment, he and two other deputy directors were excluded from the latest shortlist a move ICPAK says risks discouraging professionals from speaking out against fraud in Kenya’s health system.

“Public interest professionals who act ethically must be protected from vulnerability. If such reprisals are left unaddressed, they will send a dangerous message that integrity is punished rather than rewarded,” said ICPAK chair Elizabeth Kalunda.

The accounting body is now pressing for urgent passage of the long-stalled Whistleblower Protection Act, arguing that without legal safeguards, auditors and other professionals will shy away from exposing malpractice in public institutions.

The warning comes at a sensitive time for Kenya’s health sector, which has been plagued by graft scandals ranging from fraudulent claims to inflated procurement contracts.

The body also called for whistleblowers to be granted security guarantees called on the accountability institutions — including Parliament, Treasury, Auditor General and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) — to act decisively on audit findings.

“The work of auditors and accountants is essential in safeguarding public resources and maintaining trust in institutions. Any attempt to silence them undermines Kenya’s governance framework and erodes public confidence in reforms such as the Social Health Authority,” ICPAK said.

Kenya has seen repeated pledges to clean up the health sector, but whistleblowers often complain of harassment, dismissal or prolonged legal battles after exposing graft.

With billions of shillings flowing into healthcare annually, ICPAK warned that unless protections are enforced, corruption risks will deepen, leaving both taxpayers and patients to bear the cost.

ICPAK added that professional ethics, continuous education, and rigorous oversight are vital to restoring confidence in institutions, particularly as Kenya battles corruption scandals that continue to erode public trust.

“Financial integrity is not just about numbers it is about protecting citizens, ensuring investor confidence, and fostering national growth,” said Kalunda.

ICPAK held that the profession is uniquely placed to detect irregularities in procedures, laws, and policies, making it a critical pillar in safeguarding taxpayer resources.

“Accountants and auditors are at the frontline of governance. Their work is essential in identifying breaches, bolstering oversight, and maintaining trust in institutions,” said ICPAK chair Prof. Elizabeth Kalunda.