Speaking publicly on the matter, Omtatah insisted that the Office of the Auditor-General is an independent constitutional office and not a department that operates under State House.
According to him, dismissing an official audit report simply because it raises uncomfortable questions is dangerous for the country’s democratic system.
“The Office of the Auditor-General is a constitutional office, not a department of State House,” Omtatah said.
“Dismissing a report that questions the loss of KES 50 billion from SHA undermines the Constitution itself.”
The senator argued that the amount mentioned in the report cannot be treated lightly.
In his view, KES 50 billion represents money that belongs to the public and was collected through taxes and contributions made by hardworking Kenyans.
Because of this, he said leaders must treat the matter with seriousness rather than dismiss it as propaganda.
“KES 50 billion is not a clerical error. It is public money collected from the sweat of Kenyans,” he said.
Omtatah also expressed concern about the effect such statements could have on ordinary citizens who rely on public healthcare services.
He said many Kenyans already struggle to get treatment in hospitals, and any suggestion that large amounts of public funds could disappear without proper explanation would only deepen public frustration.
“To brush aside such findings insults every Kenyan who struggles to access healthcare while public resources disappear,” the senator added.
His remarks came shortly after President Ruto publicly rejected claims that KES 50 billion had been lost within the health insurance system.
The president described the allegations as propaganda and insisted that the government is currently paying large amounts of money to hospitals under the new health financing system.
“Forget the propaganda that we lost Ksh. 50 billion,” President Ruto said while addressing the issue.
“This week alone we are paying Ksh. 16.2 billion for SHIF. We are paying the highest amounts of money to any hospital that has ever been paid under any administration.”
The president’s comments were meant to reassure the public that the government’s health insurance reforms are working and that hospitals are receiving funds to support services for patients across the country.
However, Omtatah maintained that questions raised by the audit office should not be dismissed without thorough examination.
According to him, the Constitution requires transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, especially when the amounts involved are so significant.
“You cannot swear to protect the Constitution on Tuesday and tear it up on Wednesday because the truth hurts,” Omtatah said.