Teachers split over new SHA medical deal

By Newsflash Reporter

Barely hours after teachers’ unions inked a deal with the government to transfer over 400,000 educators to the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical cover, dissenting voices have emerged, accusing union leaders of sidelining members.

The transition from the Minet Kenya-led insurance consortium will officially begin on December 1, 2025.

The announcement was made during a meeting in Nairobi between officials from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), SHA, and leaders of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (Kusnet). The unions said the SHA benefits had addressed earlier fears that teachers would be merged with the general public.

However, headteachers attending the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (Kepsha) Annual Delegates Conference in Mombasa protested the migration, claiming it was done without consultation. They accused the unions of endorsing the transition without engaging members or conducting proper sensitisation. Some delegates reportedly walked out of the Sheikh Zayed Hall when news broke that the agreement had been signed.

“We were not involved in this transition. How can something this important be signed behind our backs?” lamented one agitated delegate amid murmurs of discontent. The head teachers warned of backlash in upcoming union elections, threatening to oust officials they accused of betrayal. Knut leaders are expected to address the conference on Thursday, while TSC acting CEO Evaleen Mitei is scheduled to speak today.

Teachers expressed concerns about service gaps under SHA. “Some diagnostic tests are not fully covered, and others have restrictive limits,” said Tobias Obuogo of Ugina Primary School in Homa Bay. He suggested that the government should have piloted the scheme before a full rollout. Sarah Mhonja of Zimbalo Primary in Vihiga added, “The unions should come to the grassroots and explain how SHA works. We don’t understand the new scheme or its family cover.”

A Kepsha official, Moses Kadienge, described the process as rushed and opaque. “They should have tested the system first. There’s too much haste and too little clarity,” said the Ramba Comprehensive School head teacher, who also complained about higher SHA deductions reducing take-home pay. Teachers said President William Ruto had promised them an improved cover, not a compulsory transition. “We are not against reforms, but the process must be inclusive,” another delegate said.

Concerns over transparency and funding

The Social Health Authority replaces the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) plan. Teachers, however, say its implementation is rushed and lacks transparency. “If SHA’s funds aren’t stable, why is TSC pushing this transition? How will teachers maintain uninterrupted access to care?” some asked. They demanded assurances that their contributions would be ring-fenced and sought clarity on monitoring mechanisms.

Basic Education PS Julius Bitok, who was expected to explain the government’s position, skipped the conference. “We were waiting for him to explain why the State has short-changed us,” said one teacher. In Nairobi, TSC boss Mitei defended the shift, saying it would offer teachers a better deal than Minet. “We are working towards a smooth shift, and we are happy with SHA’s valuable input,” she said.

Expanded benefits under SHA cover

The transition is backed by the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF) regulations, which empower SHA to manage teachers’ healthcare. The system replaces the private insurance model with a government-administered fund offering direct access to care. Under the SHA plan, teachers and their families—spouse and up to five children—will receive comprehensive cover. Additional dependants can be included at personal cost, and those with disabilities will remain covered regardless of age.

The new system expands the network of health facilities from 800 (under Minet) to more than 9,600 across public, private, and faith-based hospitals nationwide. It also automates admissions and discharges to eliminate manual approvals. “This is a significant improvement. The provider network is far broader,” said SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi.

The cover also includes overseas treatment for conditions not manageable locally, covering air travel, accommodation, and medical escorts. Teachers on official duty abroad for up to six weeks will receive travel insurance with medical benefits. “It is now official that teachers’ medical cover will be comprehensively undertaken by SHA. It’s a scheme many teachers will appreciate,” said Kuppet secretary-general Akello Misori.

Read more:Teachers oppose rush to SHA plan

According to the benefits package, SHA will cater for outpatient and inpatient care, maternity, dental, optical, oncology, renal treatment, and rehabilitation for substance abuse. It also includes annual medical check-ups for teachers and spouses, covering key health screenings. Emergency evacuation, funeral benefits, dialysis, chemotherapy, and transplants are part of the deal.

“This scheme will significantly improve on what we had earlier,” said Knut secretary-general Collins Oyuu. “It remains a comprehensive cover exclusively for teachers, not a general public scheme.” The plan will also feature governance structures at national, county, and regional levels to ensure accountability and efficiency.