After coercion to join, teachers now cry foul over SHA contributions
Education
By
Mike Kihaki
| Mar 05, 2026
Barely two months after unions led thousands of teachers to join the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical plan, educators are now seeking to return to the old scheme.
The move comes amid growing frustration over what teachers describe as great difficulties in accessing healthcare under the SHA.
In December last year, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) orchestrated a mass withdrawal from the Minet medical scheme, shifting members to SHA.
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Unions are now calling for urgent reforms, with some advocating a return to the former cover, arguing that the new system has caused hardship, confusion and unexpected out-of-pocket expenses for teachers.
KUPPET National Chairman Omboko Milemba said teachers are not getting value for their contributions.
“Teachers are paying heavily for these services, once through normal deductions and again via the medical cover. Many have been held at facilities for unpaid bills because SHA has not settled them,” Milemba said.
He added: “Teachers haven’t had to fundraise for medical cover for 15 years while enrolled in Minet. We have never held a harambee in all that time and we will not start now. It is either SHA works for teachers, or it quits.”
The controversy dates back to a September meeting at the State House in Nairobi, where union leaders petitioned President William Ruto over concerns that the Minet arrangement was costly and unsustainable.
“Access to inpatient services for teachers is below market standards. Data shows that, on average, it costs Sh117,000 per inpatient visit under your medical scheme, compared to a market average of Sh100,000 and Sh98,000 for civil servants. That means teachers pay more for every visit, so we cannot continue with this medical cover as it is,” President Ruto said at the time.
He directed the Ministry of Education to collaborate with health professionals to review the package and explore alternatives that deliver better value for money.
Following intense negotiations between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), unions and health authorities, teachers were moved to SHA effective December 1.
The transition was presented as a comprehensive upgrade designed to expand coverage, reduce pre-authorisation hurdles and improve access to chronic illness management, maternity services and treatment abroad.
TSC Chief Executive Officer Eveleen Mitei defended the transition, saying consultations had been held and the new arrangement expands access to thousands of facilities nationwide.
“We have received a lot of input that will be considered as we finalise the scheme. Our goal is a seamless transition for teachers to the new medical cover,” she said.
SHA Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi also said the revamped system broadens healthcare access across public, private, and faith-based facilities.
At the time of the transition, KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori supported the deal, describing it as a benefit to teachers.
“This is a comprehensive cover exclusively for teachers, extending beyond treatment in dispensaries and sub-county hospitals,” Misori said.
The statement was echoed by KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu, who noted that the agreement contains safeguards.
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