The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has opposed the government’s plan to transition teachers from the current Minet medical insurance scheme to the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Bungoma KNUT Secretary Robert Mandila voiced the union’s stance, saying SHA would not adequately serve teachers’ needs.

“SHA is a scam, and no teacher will be forced to join. We do not want to hook our teachers to a system that will leave them suffering while seeking treatment,” he stated.

Concerns over SHA

Mandila’s criticism stems from earlier interactions with SHA. In April, SHA rejected an offer to insure approximately 400,000 teachers, citing inadequate structures.

According to Teachers Service Commission (TSC) chief executive Nancy Macharia, SHA demanded Ksh37 billion to onboard teachers, a figure far exceeding the current Sh20 billion budget under Minet.

SHA also indicated it would require a year to operationalise the scheme, heightening scepticism.

Mandila recalled that during a State House meeting with President William Ruto, discussions did not include removing teachers from Minet, which has supported teachers and their families. He questioned why the government now seeks to move teachers to a scheme it had earlier acknowledged lacked the capacity to manage them.

Operational challenges

The backlash against SHA has been compounded by reports of operational failures. Private hospitals have suspended SHA services, while public figures such as Moses Kuria have raised questions about the deductions linked to the scheme.

Teachers are also grappling with frustrations under Minet, including delays in treatment approvals and unpaid benefits, which have not been eased by the prospect of joining SHA. Members of Parliament have labelled the existing scheme a “mongrel of insurance providers”, urging the TSC to find a credible alternative or consider clustering teachers for better coverage.

Despite government efforts to engage educators, including a State House meeting where President Ruto promised 20 per cent of the Affordable Housing project to teachers, the SHA transition remains contentious.

Former KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion has defended the legitimacy of such engagements but stressed the importance of meaningful dialogue. As the November 30 deadline for Minet’s contract approaches, the debate over SHA’s viability continues to unsettle the teaching fraternity.

Mandila maintained that many teachers are using private hospitals and will not go for SHA, urging the teachers’ employer to seek another insurance provider that can meet their needs.