By: Vivian Navate
A proprietor of a private medical facility in Kakamega County has been charged at the Milimani Law Courts over an alleged scheme to defraud the Social Health Authority (SHA) of more than KSh 2.5 million through falsified medical claims.
Josephat Ouma Omoto, the proprietor of Zion Ahadi Mediclinic Limited, was arraigned facing multiple counts relating to falsification of health documents, acquisition and use of proceeds of crime, and uttering false documents.
The prosecution alleges that between January 1 and June 30, 2025, Omoto knowingly and fraudulently falsified medical records by inserting patient details to create the false impression that patients had consented to or received treatment, with the intention of defrauding the Social Health Authority and unlawfully obtaining benefits.
In one of the principal charges, Omoto and his clinic are jointly accused of acquiring proceeds of crime contrary to the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act. Prosecutors claim that during the same period, the accused received KSh 2,591,125 from SHA through a Cooperative Bank account, while knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that the funds were proceeds of crime.
Omoto is also accused of using the alleged proceeds of crime, with the prosecution stating that he knowingly utilised the funds despite being aware, or reasonably expected to be aware, that they originated from criminal activity.
Further, the court heard that Omoto faces three separate counts of uttering false documents. The prosecution alleges that he fraudulently submitted false inpatient discharge summaries to the Chief Executive Officer of SHA to support claims for payment.
The first count relates to a discharge summary for Florence Rachael Atero, allegedly submitted between March 11 and March 16, 2025. The second concerns a discharge summary for Elida Munyokho Omukoyia, allegedly uttered between January 11 and January 21, 2025. The third relates to a discharge summary for Milka Omwaka Winnie, allegedly submitted between January 2 and January 5, 2025.
All the offences are said to have been committed at Zion Ahadi Mediclinic Limited in Kakamega County.
When presented before the court, Omoto was described as a father of three and a diabetic, as police sought custodial orders. The court directed that a pre-bail report be prepared and filed by Monday, after which it will issue further directions on bond and bail.
The matter will be mentioned for further proceedings once the pre-bail report is availed.
