Barely a week after the Head of Civil Service Francis Kimemia suspended the NHIF board; Medical Services minister Prof. Anyang Nyongo has reinstated it. 

Prof. Nyongo, while announcing his decision, accused Kimemia of overstepping his mandate. 

However, the troubled NHIF chairman Richard Muga remains under suspension with the minister saying he has forwarded recommendations to President Mwai Kibaki on what action should be taken against Mr. Muga. 

Shortly after Muga had suspended the NHIF CEO Richard Kerich, Nyongo announced that the board chairman had been suspended and reinstated Kerich. 

But on Friday, Kimemia sent both Muga and Kerich parking while promising to appoint a caretaker board next week. 

Kimemia, in his communication, had said his decision was to pave way for extensive investigations into the scandal Sh.4.2 billion rocking the scheme. 

“This will pave the way for the appointment of a caretaker management board and conducting of investigations into the alleged malpractices in the institution,” said Kimemia as he suspended the board. 

However, while Nyongo, while he lifted the suspension, said he is the only person with the mandate to sack the board. 

 “I want to state very clearly, as the Minister of Medical Services that the status quo in NHIF remains following my decision on Thursday. The board and the CEO are under my instructions to continue with their work without interference from any person,” said the minister.