The Social Health Authority (SHA) has clarified that Andrew Rotich remains an active employee, dismissing claims that he had been removed from his post amid calls for an independent inquiry by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK).
Rotich, a whistleblower in a high-profile corruption case, has been at the center of public attention following reports suggesting his dismissal.
ICPAK had expressed concern over the media coverage, urging SHA to allow a fair and impartial investigation into its recruitment processes, citing the importance of transparency.
“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 stated.
In response, SHA released a statement on Wednesday confirming that 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 Deputy Director through an internal recruitment process initiated on February 19, 2025.
However, the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) later nullified this process on May 29, 2025, ruling the internal advertisement unlawful.
“An order of certiorari hereby issued quashing any decisions made pursuant to the impugned and unlawful purported internal advertisement,” the court declared.
Following the court ruling, SHA launched a fresh, open, and competitive recruitment process under the Social Health Insurance Act (SHIA), 2023, for the positions of director, deputy director, and assistant director. Rotich, despite being eligible, did not apply for any of the Deputy Director roles before the August 19, 2025 deadline.
“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 clarified.
Mohamed emphasised SHA’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.
He further added, “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.”
Meanwhile, Mohamed noted that SHA has provided evidence to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to pursue prosecution of healthcare facilities and individuals involved in fraud. He confirmed that “Rotich is part of the audit team at SHA” utilising a comprehensive digital system built on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a big data fraud engine in the fight against medical fraud.