The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has issued a stern warning to the government over plans to scrap the current teachers’ medical cover under Minet and place them under the national Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme managed by the Social Health Authority (SHA).

 Addressing the media yesterday, Secretary General Akelo Misori, said that the union condemns the move as illegal and a gross violation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which he said protects their comprehensive medical scheme.

 “We are here because of one agenda, the shocking revelation that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the government are planning to phase out our comprehensive medical cover, which we have enjoyed since 2015, and lump us under SHA without our consultation,” said Misori.

 Misori said the plan, which was mentioned in a recent statement by the Ministry of Education, caught teachers by surprise and has stirred outrage among union members.

 He argued that teachers’ medical insurance is not only a negotiated benefit but also one that was exchanged for the medical allowances they previously earned.

 “We will protect our medical scheme with all the tools at our disposal. If the government insists on rolling out this plan without our input, we are prepared to take to the streets. Consider this a warning,” Misori stated.

 The union stated this a discrimination to them, noting that while other public institutions such as the Judiciary and Parliament continue to enjoy exclusive and customized medical schemes, teachers are being forced into a one-size-fits-all plan.

 “This is blatant unfairness. Teachers are the largest contributors to the national tax base, yet the government is punishing them by abolishing their medical scheme while safeguarding those of other sectors,” Misori added.

 “And there is no guarantee that SHA will cover what Minet covered. During the previous dispensation, we are aware that even SHA itself has talked about the capacity to run a cover for the number of teachers,” he said.

 The union questioned the rationale of scrapping the Minet scheme despite its success in catering for critical medical needs including overseas treatment, cancer, kidney and heart conditions.

 “Before Minet teachers were given comprehensive medical cover, most of our teachers who are seeking treatment in specialized areas, the union was subjected to a lot of money collection through Harambee. But since Minet, we have had very few cases,” the union stated.

 “I personally benefited from the Minet cover when I accompanied my wife for treatment in India. The scheme covered over four million shillings in expenses. Why dismantle a system that works?” he posed.