Teachers query transition to SHA as Minet medical cover nears end

With just a month left before the expiry of teachers’ medical cover, anxiety is growing over the silence surrounding the future of their healthcare scheme.

It has emerged that plans are at an advanced stage to migrate teachers from the Minet cover to the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme.

However, teachers are raising concerns over the secrecy surrounding the planned transition.

On Monday, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei announced that he had received a report evaluating the planned migration to SHA’s medical cover.

In a post on his official Facebook page, Koskei said the report was prepared by a joint team drawn from SHA and the Teachers Service Commission.

“Received an update from the Joint Technical Committee of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Social Health Authority on preparations for the TSC migration to the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund scheduled for December 1, 2025,” he wrote.

Teachers’ unions, however, say the process is being conducted without transparency or consultation.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Nairobi branch Executive Secretary Macharia Mugwe said the planned move has caused anxiety among teachers who feel left out.

“We have not had any sensitisation, no consultations. We don’t even know what is in that report. TSC should have shared the report with teachers so that we can scrutinise and give our input before any transition happens,” Mugwe said in an interview with The Standard.

He questioned the rush, warning that the move could expose teachers to an uncertain healthcare system.

“Health is not something to gamble with. It would be better if we remain with Minet and fix its challenges rather than move to a scheme we don’t understand,” he said.

Minet’s contract expires on November 30.

Mugwe also raised concerns about SHA’s capacity and structure. He questioned whether the new scheme would include benefits such as life insurance, last expense cover, and support for chronic illnesses, which teachers currently enjoy under Minet.

“What we know is that SHA does not offer life cover. We also hear that outpatient services will only be available in Level 3 hospitals. What happens to teachers who rely on private facilities?” he asked.

Similar concerns have been raised by other Knut officials in various regions.

In Kericho, branch Executive Secretary David Bore urged the government to address funding delays that have previously led to poor service delivery under the Minet cover.

In Kwale County, Knut Secretary Bashir Kilalo said that despite monthly deductions from teachers’ salaries, delays in remittances by TSC have left hospitals and pharmacies unpaid, forcing teachers to pay out of pocket or be denied services.

In September, TSC Acting Chief Executive Evaleen Mitei told MPs that consultations were ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.

“Consultations are ongoing to enable parties to develop the necessary framework that will ensure a smooth transition of teachers’ medical care. Once the technical issues are complete, TSC will engage all stakeholders before the scheme is rolled out,” Mitei told the National Assembly Education Committee.

She said teachers will be enrolled in the Public Service Medical Fund.

“It is proposed that all teachers will be onboarded with the Public Officers Medical Fund under SHA from 1st December 2025, and the commission is working round the clock to complete the initial framework on or before 30th September,” Mitei said.

Earlier, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) had rejected the plan to migrate teachers to SHA, terming it “ill-conceived and dismissive of teachers’ welfare.”

“The government must learn from past mistakes. Imposing a new scheme without consultation is bound to fail and will only invite court battles,” KUPPET secretary general Akello Misori warned, adding that the single-sourcing of SHA raises transparency issues.

However, TSC insists that the migration will not disadvantage teachers.

“Teachers will not lose anything. We have realized that other schemes — for the civil service and police — had slightly higher benefits, especially in maternity and overseas treatment. We are carrying our scheme as it is to SHA,” Mitei said.

In September, KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu also cautioned against the move, saying that while the idea of universal health coverage is good, SHA is not yet ready to handle teachers’ medical needs.

“We need at least two years before onboarding teachers to SHA. We don’t necessarily mean sticking with Minet, but we need a comprehensive cover that provides all the benefits teachers currently enjoy. As things stand, SHA cannot handle that,” Oyuu said.