Teachers' fears as shift to SHA cover takes effect

More than 400,000 teachers will, from midnight, be migrated to the Social Health Authority (SHA) as the government-run medical scheme officially takes effect, replacing the Sh15 billion MINET insurance cover that has served tutors since 2015.

The transition, valued at Sh20 billion, will be administered by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) through SHA under the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF), amid uncertainty over the lack of communication on the move.

It comes amid an expected legal showdown after two teachers moved to court seeking to stop the shift of their medical cover from private insurer Minet/AON.

While the court has not stopped the transition in orders given on Wednesday, it has set hearing of the conservatory orders on December 10.

The petition before the Employment and Labour Relations Court challenges the planned migration scheduled for December 1, arguing that the move is unlawful, lacks public participation and fundamentally alters teachers’ terms of service. The Minet cover lapses on November 30.

However, TSC says the new scheme will offer expanded benefits, automated service approvals, and access to more than 9,000 healthcare facilities nationwide, a major increase from the 816 facilities previously accredited under Minet.

Ahead of the rollout, teachers last week received text messages directing them to onboard to the new system and update details of their dependents before December 1.

“Dear Teachers, SHA welcomes you to the new Comprehensive Mwalimu Medical Cover. Please confirm and/or update your dependents by dialling *147# or by visiting sha.go.ke, afyayangu.go.ke. The medical scheme will be active effective 1st Dec 2025,” the message reads.

Despite the impending switch, teachers say TSC has not sensitised them on the structure of the new cover, the benefits, or the facilities where they can seek services, fueling uncertainty and disquiet.

Several teachers interviewed cited frustrations when trying to reach SHA customer support for clarification. Others questioned why they were being asked to register afresh despite already being on the standard SHA platform.

“But most teachers were already in this cover. Are we being re-registered? Why not transfer our details?” one teacher asked.

Some educators also reported technical difficulties during onboarding.
“When I'm trying to register, I'm told to use a different number from the one I used in my initial registration. Am I going to register another number, or can I use my spouse's number instead?” said Peter Morara Onkoba, a teacher in Kisii.

Another teacher said they had been waiting for a one-time password for three days.

“Been waiting for the log-in OTP for sixty hours,” the teacher said.

Some teachers also expressed fears over potential system failures, pointing to existing challenges under the regular SHA cover.

“Biometric failure or rampant system downtime under SHA,” one teacher lamented.

Other teachers are faulting their unions for accepting the deal, terming the leaders 'sell-outs'.

“Teachers have been auctioned by their union leaders due to greed and poor policies. Teachers are unionless in reality,” said another teacher who requested anonymity.

In Mandera, teachers say the new transition may leave them without access to medical services due to a lack of accredited facilities.

“We don't have SHA-accredited facilities in Mandera North Sub-County. You go to any facility and mention SHA and nobody responds to you. We ask the Kenya National Union of Teachers to reconsider Minet Kenya,” said Billow Abdi Baricha, a teacher in the region.

Under the new scheme,  the cover will apply to the teacher as the principal member, their spouse, and up to five dependents, including children under 21 or up to 25 if enrolled in full-time post-secondary education. 

Some benefits under the new arrangement will be uniform across all job groups. For instance, every teacher will be entitled to an annual dental cover valued at Sh45,000, while optical services will be covered up to Sh60,000 per year.

Other components of the medical cover will vary depending on job group. 

Inpatient services will be capped between Sh1 million and Sh3 million per year, with lower job groups such as B5 to C2 receiving the lower limit, while senior officers in Job Group D5 will enjoy the highest ceiling.

Outpatient services will similarly be tiered, ranging from Sh150,000 to Sh450,000 annually, depending on one’s job group.

All teachers will be entitled to an overseas treatment cover of Sh2.2 million.

In addition, the scheme will provide a last-expense benefit of Sh300,000 payable upon the death of a teacher or one of their dependents.