As the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) prepares to roll out the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical scheme to replace Minet Insurance, thousands of teachers across Kenya are demanding clarity and better terms before the December transition.
The shift, which will affect more than 400,000 teachers and their dependents, has sparked heated debate, with teachers’ unions warning that the new plan could jeopardize members’ health rights if implemented without adequate consultation.
At the heart of the dispute are transparency, accessibility, and service quality — three key areas unions insist must be guaranteed before the switch. Teachers argue that the current process lacks openness, with little information shared about the cover’s structure, benefits, and hospital network.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Collins Oyuu says educators want more than promises. “Teachers must see the full details — the hospitals under SHA, the benefits covered, and how approvals will be processed. We cannot accept a medical cover we do not understand,” he said.
Oyuu emphasized that teachers have long endured slow approvals, unresponsive service providers, and delayed reimbursements under the Minet scheme. “If SHA is to replace Minet, it must prove that it can deliver faster, fairer, and more dignified healthcare,” he added.
KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori and his deputy Moses Nthurima have echoed similar concerns, saying the new system must eliminate bureaucratic hurdles that have previously hindered teachers from getting timely care. Nthurima said teachers are demanding the removal of pre-authorization requirements and want the freedom to access hospitals within their home counties without restrictions.
Another key demand is the inclusion of group life cover, which was missing under the previous scheme. “One thing that has been missing for years is group life cover — this must be added. It’s a matter of dignity and security for our members,” Oyuu stated.
Teachers are also worried about being forced to follow the referral system, which could require them to seek treatment at local dispensaries before accessing specialized hospitals. They say this could lead to delays and deny them critical care, especially in emergencies.
The TSC, on its part, insists that the SHA scheme is an upgrade. Acting CEO Evaleen Mitei said the new model will give teachers broader access to over 9,000 healthcare facilities nationwide — a significant improvement from the approximately 800 under Minet. She added that SHA will ensure more equitable service delivery across counties.
However, unions argue that expanding the number of hospitals is meaningless unless quality and accountability improve. “We need proof that teachers will actually get timely, quality care, not just statistics,” Misori noted.
As the deadline looms, tension continues to mount. Both KNUT and KUPPET have called for urgent consultations with TSC to iron out the unresolved issues. Until then, teachers remain firm: no clear guarantees, no transition.?
