The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government, demanding an immediate resolution to challenges surrounding the Social Health Authority (SHA).

The union has maintained that recent agreements with the Ministry of Health and stakeholders have not fully addressed the challenges facing educators, warning that failure to act within the set timeline could trigger industrial action.

“We do not want teachers to continue suffering when they are being deducted twice. They are being deducted from the SHA scheme, and Mwalimu covers them. You should let teachers choose the facilities they want to be treated at and not have SHA choose for them,” KNUT Vice Chairman Aggrey Murumba Namisi said while speaking on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

“So we are calling upon the government that if you don’t fix it in the next 14 days, we will fix it.”

Unions united grievances

KUPPET has also maintained a stance that its members will down tools as early as next week when schools reopen.

According to Korir Martin, Kuppet Narok deputy secretary general, some hospitals demand cash payment to be paid up front as the SHA has declined.

This escalation comes despite a recent attempt by the government to avert industrial action through an agreement signed at Afia House.

“Some hospitals decline SHA or demand cash, which should be paid up front before the treatment starts. SHA benefits are not comprehensive compared to the previous scheme that we had, which was Minet. Critical services are not covered,” Korir said.

Wetangula’s take on teachers

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has called on the Ministry of Health to urgently address challenges facing teachers under the new SHA medical scheme.

Speaking to teachers from Bungoma at his home on Saturday, April 26, 2026, Wetangula said the concerns raised over access to quality healthcare are valid and require practical solutions, adding that the ministry must ensure teachers receive full benefits under the scheme.

He further urged teachers to remain patient, saying he had personally stepped in to pursue a lasting solution aimed at preventing the threatened industrial action.

“Tayari nimetumia Aden Duale message ya kwamba on Tuesday morning akuwe kwa ofisi yangu saa mbili asubuhi, nimuongeleshe mambo ya matibau ya walimu,” he said.

The SHA medical cover has faced growing criticism from teachers’ unions, who argue that it has reduced access to quality healthcare. Teachers under the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) have reported delays in treatment, system breakdowns, and out-of-pocket payments despite government assurances.