Nation on Edge as Teachers Protest Government’s Health Scheme Cancellation

In a threat to strike against the government, Kenyan teachers have vowed to bring learning to a standstill countrywide in case the government goes ahead to implement a proposal to scrap the present medical insurance plan that they have and implement the new Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme.

The notice is given by the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers(KUPPET) in the wake of increased friction between the union and the government agencies regarding the administration of the healthcare of teachers.

The union has alleged that the government has tried to force the SHA medical plan on teachers, without due consultation, and this has been deemed by the union as a breach of their rights and the current labour agreements.

Teachers are presently under the Minet Teachers Medical Scheme that is administered by Medical Kenya Ltd (MKL) through a contract agreement with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

The plan will expire on November 30, 2025.

There are, however, plans to move the teachers and other government servants to the recently established SHA system, which KUPPET is extremely firm that should not occur without their approval, as it is illegal.

The union claims that the current medical scheme is an offering of the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which was legally negotiated between KUPPET and the TSC.

The union contends that the repeal of the scheme will be akin to violating the CBA and denying the teachers their welfare.

In Nairobi, KUPPET Secretary-General, Akelo Misori, charged the government with muzzling teachers in a case that directly impacts their well-being and health.

According to Misori, the medical scheme of teachers is not something they are entitled to, but it is a right that was attained after a transparent and long process of negotiations resulting in the 2025-2029 CBA.

Any such unilateral practice to abolish it is a betrayal and outright violation of labour laws.

In case the government wants to proceed without even consulting us, we will have no option but to go to the streets.

The proposal to put all civil servants under the SHA system was criticised by Misori, who said that it overlooks the special healthcare requirements of teachers.

He asked himself the reasons why other arms of government, such as parliament and judiciary, are still enjoying exclusive medical covers whilst teachers are being put under a blanket plan by the government.

It is our turn to be the biggest group in the public service, great providers of the national health pool, but we are taken as second-class citizens, he said. Why is the case of MPs and judges being provided with medical schemes when the teachers are not given the same dignity?

The union leader also divulged that the TSC has not sent any formal message to educators about a potential move to the SHA, which has created panic and disorientation in the field. He invited the commission and the Ministry of Health to consult teachers in a formal discussion before introducing alterations.

In the current scheme, teachers forfeited their medical allowance to form a pooled fund of the Minet scheme.

That concession was supposed to ensure the provision of quality healthcare. That contribution, now, is in danger, said Misori.

He also raised the question of the constant change of administrators, from IOMINET to MINET and then MKL, without proper communication with the teachers.

Who approved these shifts? Whither shall our medical allowance fly? According to him, teachers should be subject to transparency and accountability on all decisions made regarding their health.

KUPPET revealed that it was not informed of the SHA transition by an official briefing by the Ministry of Health or the TSC, but it got to know about it via the media.

Misori called the action disrespectful and threatened that the union would organise a strike across the country should the government fail to halt the transition and also embark on consultation.

This might seem to be an infighting match, but it reaches deep to the welfare of ourselves, Misori cautioned. We will not sit by and see our rights being taken away in the name of reform.

In addition to the health scheme dispute, KUPPET is also demanding a broader involvement of the issues that have affected the education sector, such as the teacher workload, capitation funding, and application of new education reforms.

Most recently, we tried to discuss funding and curriculum issues. They are now meddling with our health cover.

With enough, Enough, Misori said.

The impasse is further increasing the anxieties of the public sector employees in the rollout of the SHA, with the unions insisting that they are furnished with the information on how the new system will deal with the contributions, benefits, and job security of personnel moving out of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

This is as it may be; KUPPET has issued a strong caution; unless the government suspends the transition and holds consultations with all parties, the nation may soon experience a nationwide teachers’ strike, which would cripple learning in schools in Kenya.