As the December 1 deadline for the transition of teachers’ medical cover to the new Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme approaches, tension is building between educators and their employer, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). Teachers’ unions are demanding full transparency, citing a lack of clarity on the terms, benefits, and hospital networks under the new arrangement.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Collins Oyuu and Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Secretary-General Akelo Misori have jointly warned that teachers will not accept a health plan they “do not understand.” They insist that teachers must be briefed on the full package of benefits before the shift from the Minet insurance cover to SHA begins.
Oyuu emphasized that teachers deserve “complete transparency” and must know the hospitals, referral systems, and service conditions before December. “No teacher should be stranded in a health facility because of unclear cover terms,” he said.
The current Minet medical scheme, which has served more than 400,000 teachers and their dependents, is set to expire at the end of November. The TSC plans to migrate all members to the SHA scheme, which will be managed under the new universal health model.
However, the unions have accused the TSC and SHA of failing to provide detailed information on key issues such as capitation levels, service authorization procedures, and group life cover. Teachers are also demanding the elimination of pre-authorization requirements that often cause delays in accessing emergency treatment.
KUPPET Deputy Secretary-General Moses Nthurima argued that the new cover must allow teachers to access hospitals in their home counties and choose their preferred health facilities. “The new scheme should include life insurance and ensure timely, dignified healthcare,” he said.
The unions warn that if implemented without consultation, the SHA scheme could jeopardize the welfare of over 400,000 educators and their families. They accuse the government of rushing the process without proper stakeholder engagement, violating public participation principles.
TSC insists that the SHA cover will expand access to more than 9,000 health facilities nationwide, up from the 800 hospitals currently under Minet. But union officials maintain that numbers mean little without guaranteed quality of service.
As the standoff intensifies, both sides are expected to meet in a crucial dialogue aimed at striking a balance between transparency, access, and affordability. Whether the talks succeed will determine if Kenya’s teachers begin December with confidence or confusion over their healthcare future.
