Tension between teachers’ unions and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has reached a boiling point following reports that all teachers will be moved to the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical scheme before the end of the year.
Leaders from KNUT and KUPPET have condemned the plan, terming it a “bad deal” that could strip teachers of critical benefits they currently enjoy under Minet’s private insurance. They claim the government is forcing teachers into an untested and poorly prepared system.
“We have not been consulted. The SHA framework remains unclear, and we fear our members could lose access to specialized care and private facilities,” said KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu.
Sources indicate that the decision was discussed at a high-level meeting at State House, where top union and government officials deliberated on the transition. However, insiders claim the unions were not given a chance to present their full concerns before the announcement.
Private hospitals, already wary of SHA’s financial sustainability, have threatened to cut credit lines, warning that delayed reimbursements will cripple operations. “We cannot operate under uncertainty. We need assurance that SHA will pay promptly,” said the Kenya Private Hospitals Association chair.
As pressure mounts, unions have vowed to mobilize teachers to reject the transition unless the TSC provides guarantees on coverage, benefits, and partner hospitals. Analysts warn that the standoff could escalate into a national education crisis if left unresolved.
