Dr. Peter Kamunyo Takes The Helm At A State Parastatal NHIF

The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) board recently announced the appointment of one medical doctor, Peter Kamunyo Gathege,  as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective on April 14, 2020. He takes over from Nicodemus Odongo, who has been in an acting capacity since November 2018.

Dr Kamunyo’s appointment comes at a time when the ministry, now headed by former Nyeri Senator Mutahi Kagwe, has instituted a panel to guide reforms to strengthen the parastatal’s capacity to deliver Universal Health Cover to Kenyans.

“Dr Kamunyo brings to the fund a wealth of professional experience with an intensive background in senior leadership positions at pioneering innovative healthcare organisations, global market leaders in the field of insurance brokering and medical scheme administration and fund management,” said NHIF Chairperson, Hannah Muriithi.

His experience spans 21 years during which he has practiced in various health fields including clinical medicine and healthcare management, insurance and pharmaceutical industry.

“The board of management is confident that Dr Kamunyo’s expertise and experience will enable him to steer the fund to achieving its core mandate and implementation of the reforms in reposition of NHIF as a strategic purchaser of healthcare benefits towards the delivery of Universal Health Coverage,” the Chairperson added.

Dr Kamunyo, the non-executive board director at the Kenya Healthcare Federation and the East Africa Healthcare Federation, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Nairobi (UoN) and  a master’s degree in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine at the University of London.