SHA chairperson Abdi MohamedThe Social Health Authority has issued a firm clarification regarding the employment status of Andrew Rotich following public concern and calls for an independent inquiry by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK).
ICPAK had earlier raised alarm over media reports suggesting that Rotich, a whistleblower in a high-profile corruption case, had been dismissed from his role.
The institute urged SHA to allow an impartial investigation into its ongoing recruitment processes, citing concerns over transparency and fairness.
"The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) has noted media reports that CPA Andrew Kipkirui Rotich, Deputy Director of Forensic Audit & Risk Assurance, has lost his position at the Social Health Authority (SHA)," ICPAK said in their statement.
In a press statement released on Wednesday, SHA denied claims that Rotich had been fired.
"Rotich has not lost his job. Rotich remains an employee of the public service deployed to the Social Health Authority, currently holding the position of Senior Officer. His current temporary deployment and tenure are protected under the transitional arrangements."
SHA explained that Rotich had previously been appointed as Deputy Director through an internal recruitment process conducted from February 19, 2025.
However, that process was later nullified by a ruling from the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) on May 29, 2025, which found the internal advertisement to be unlawful.
“An order of certiorari hereby issued quashing any decisions made pursuant to the impugned and unlawful purported internal advertisement,” the court ruled.
Following the court’s decision, SHA initiated a fresh, open, and competitive recruitment process in line with the Social Health Insurance Act (SHIA), 2023, for the positions of director, deputy director and assistant director.
But despite being eligible, SHA said Rotich did not apply for any of the post of deputy director, internal audit by the application deadline of August 19, 2025.
"He submitted only one application for this tier, specifically for the position of Assistant Director, Internal Audit. Neither did he submit a physical application for any position," SHA chairperson Abdi Mohamed said.
Mohamed emphasised the authority’s commitment to integrity and due process.
"We confirm that all candidates shortlisted for the position of Deputy Director, Internal Audit are current members of either ICPAK and/or IIA, which is a core professional requirement for the role.
"The Board exercises due diligence, following a meticulous, transparent, and accountable process. Ultimately, the Board can only consider and shortlist individuals who have expressed willingness by formally applying for the advertised position," he said.
"The authority cannot force any qualified individual to apply. The Board confirms that Rotich has not lodged any formal appeal to the SHA Board expressing dissatisfaction or disputing his non-shortlisting for the Deputy Director position," he added.
Meanwhile, Mohamed said SHA has submitted evidence to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for the prosecution of healthcare facilities and individuals involved in fraudulent activities.
He said "Rotich is part of the audit team at SHA" that utilised a comprehensive digital system built on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a big data fraud engine in the fight against medical fraud.
