Teachers oppose rush to SHA plan

By Newsflash Team

Teachers are staring at a clouded future as unions square off with the government over a plan to migrate them and their dependents from the Sh20 billion Minet medical cover to the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Union leaders warn the transition, expected to kick in once the current contract lapses next month, could trigger a major disruption.

With the Minet contract set to end soon, unions caution that a hurried shift risks stripping more than 400,000 teachers of crucial health benefits, even as government officials maintain that the new model promises wider access to healthcare.

On Friday, union representatives met with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), officials from the Office of the President, and SHA executives. The unions said SHA attempted to address weaknesses in the Minet scheme during its presentations, but several concerns remain unresolved.

Union leaders demand caution

During the session at the TSC boardroom in Nairobi, SHA promised that teachers would gain access to over 9,000 health facilities countrywide, up from about 800 under Minet. It was agreed that further dialogue would be held before any transition takes effect.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary-General Collins Oyuu said the union would not be hurried into signing off on the government’s proposal. He stressed that with over 400,000 teachers in public schools and millions of dependents involved, any decision must be subjected to proper consultation.

“This is a matter we must carefully take back to our members. SHA gave us several presentations, but in our assessment, the process is still incomplete. It is only fair to take it to the National Executive Council (NEC) for a final resolution,” he stated.

The urgency, he explained, stems from the looming lapse of the Minet scheme. Mr Oyuu also cited recent remarks by President William Ruto at a State House meeting.

“When the President spoke about reviewing the medical scheme, some assumed he was endorsing SHA directly. Yes, he engaged unions and teachers, but his words were clear—he spoke of a review, not an overnight migration. While a review is welcome, moving all teachers into SHA requires broader consultation,” he said.

Oyuu confirmed SHA had already briefed unions on its model but insisted that it must undergo public scrutiny and address inefficiencies before rollout.

“They explained their model and their objectives. Personally, I don’t see cause for alarm. But as a union, we must hear all voices before taking a position,” he added.

Doubts over benefits and transparency

Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Deputy Secretary-General Moses Nthurima warned that forcing teachers into SHA without meaningful engagement would spark resistance.

“The government seems keen to migrate teachers, but we have not consented. They must engage directly with teachers. Such a critical decision cannot be imposed from above without their input,” Nthurima stated.

His remarks followed TSC acting CEO Evaleen Mitei’s disclosure to the Education Committee of Parliament that talks were ongoing to move teachers into SHA by December 1.

The Kuppet official maintained that unions have not signed off on the plan, arguing that teachers cannot be forced into a system that lacks transparency and certainty on benefits.

“You cannot simply wake up and instruct teachers to abandon a scheme they know for one still vague in detail. Without transparency and firm guarantees, we will not accept it,” he said.

Mr Nthurima also faulted TSC and other government actors for pushing the matter without addressing persistent complaints against Minet. He accused insurers of putting profits before service delivery.

“For instance, pre-authorisations take too long, and when doctors recommend admission, the insurer often refuses, citing their own assessments. This shows insurers are more concerned with profit than the welfare of teachers,” he said.

Kenya Teachers Health and Welfare Association National Secretary Ndung’u Wangenye also opposed the shift to SHA unless it guarantees a robust, all-inclusive package.

He warned that the health of over 400,000 teachers and their dependents could be jeopardised if the scheme proceeds without firm structures and benefits.

“If SHA expects a teacher to contribute as much as Sh60,000 annually, then the package must be comprehensive—covering outpatient, inpatient, maternity, dental, and optical needs. Teachers cannot be forced into a weaker scheme,” he said.

He called on the government to involve education stakeholders in designing a framework that safeguards teachers and their families.

“We must scrutinise SHA’s offering because teachers have already suffered under Minet. If the new system falls short of their needs, we will have no option but to reject it,” he concluded.