A silent but fierce battle is unfolding between Minet Insurance and the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA) as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) prepares to transition over 400,000 teachers and their dependents to a new national medical cover this December.
For nearly a decade, Minet has been the face of teachers’ health insurance — managing billions in premiums and serving educators under the comprehensive medical scheme negotiated by TSC. But with the government’s rollout of the Social Health Authority, the curtain is slowly falling on Minet’s long reign, ushering in a new era of state-managed healthcare.
The move, however, has not been smooth. Teachers’ unions — the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) — have openly resisted the change, calling for transparency and consultation before the switch. They accuse TSC and SHA of pushing the transition without addressing key concerns about service quality, hospital access, and benefit coverage.
KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu has warned that teachers will not accept the new scheme blindly. “We have seen how opaque systems can harm our members. Before moving to SHA, teachers must know the benefits, facilities, and how emergency cases will be handled,” he said.
Under Minet, teachers have long complained about delayed approvals, hospital restrictions, and inadequate reimbursements, despite billions being channeled into the scheme annually. Oyuu argues that while SHA promises to expand access to over 9,000 health facilities, that number means little if quality healthcare is not guaranteed.
KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori echoes similar sentiments. He says the government must clearly define capitation levels, eliminate pre-authorization bottlenecks, and ensure teachers can choose hospitals freely, including those in their home counties. “This reform cannot just be about numbers — it must be about dignity and service delivery,” Misori emphasized.
Minet, which has served as the main insurance provider for teachers since 2019, is now facing its toughest test yet. Sources within the sector suggest that Minet may lose one of its largest contracts if the SHA transition proceeds as planned. The firm has, however, maintained that it provided reliable service within the limits of its contractual terms with TSC.
The TSC insists that the shift to SHA is part of the government’s broader Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, meant to make healthcare accessible and affordable to all Kenyans. According to TSC, the SHA scheme will not only widen hospital options but also reduce administrative costs that have plagued private insurers.
Still, union leaders remain unconvinced. They argue that without meaningful engagement, the new system could expose teachers to confusion and service gaps. “We will not gamble with our members’ lives,” said KNUT’s Oyuu.
As the December transition date approaches, the battle lines are drawn — between efficiency and experience, public management and private expertise. Whether SHA delivers on its promise or repeats the mistakes of the past will determine the future of teachers’ healthcare in Kenya.
