The Social Health Authority (SHA) was introduced with a grand promise — to provide universal, equitable, and affordable healthcare for all Kenyans. But for teachers, the transition from Minet to SHA has become a source of deep frustration and fear.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) maintains that the shift aligns with the government’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda. Yet teachers’ unions argue that the rollout is being rushed without safeguards to protect their members.
The uncertainty has raised broader questions about Kenya’s preparedness for universal healthcare. Health experts warn that merging millions of public servants into one centralized system could overwhelm hospitals and delay service delivery.
“Teachers’ concerns are valid,” said Dr. Florence Muli, a public health expert. “The government must ensure SHA is fully operational before mandating transitions. Otherwise, we risk a repeat of NHIF’s bureaucratic challenges.”
Union leaders have called for immediate suspension of the migration pending stakeholder consultations. They also want assurances that SHA will cover chronic illnesses, mental health, and specialist treatments at the same level Minet currently provides.
As the debate rages, education and health remain deeply intertwined in Kenya’s national discourse. For now, the future of teachers’ healthcare hangs in the balance — a litmus test for whether the country is truly ready for universal healthcare reform.
