Tension is brewing between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the unions over a planned transition to a new public service medical scheme managed by the Social Health Authority (SHA).
With the current insurance contract set to expire in four weeks, uncertainty looms over teachers’ medical coverage amid growing calls for transparency and consultation.
According to TSC, plans are at an advanced stage to migrate teachers from the Minet cover to the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme. The commission said it has already engaged key education stakeholders to elaborate on the benefits of joining the new medical scheme.
“The Commission commenced the transition processes by engaging its key stakeholders and social partners to elaborate on the benefits of transitioning to the public service Medical Scheme managed by SHA,” TSC Acting CEO Evaleen Mitei told the Nation .
The Teachers Service Commission Acting CEO Eveleen Mitei when she appeared before the National Assembly Education Committee at Bunge Tower Nairobi on July 9, 2025.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Ms Mitei said the commission has had “fruitful engagements” with the three main unions: Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (Kusnet) in early October 2025.
Further, Ms Mitei said, the Commission had a week-long engagement with the school heads’ associations, both at primary and secondary levels, where “TSC made elaborate presentations on the structure and benefits of the envisaged scheme.”
On Monday, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei announced that he had received a report evaluating the planned migration to the SHA medical cover.
“Received an update from the Joint Technical Committee of the TSC and the Social Health Authority on preparations for the TSC migration to the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund scheduled for December 1, 2025,” Mr Koskei said in a post on his official Facebook page.
Ms Mitei, in a response to the Nation , said the commission had done its part in engaging stakeholders and was now in the tail end of the roll-out plan.
“TSC has completed all the administrative processes and is finalising the procurement process, which will culminate in signing a contract with SHA, who will administer the scheme. Member sensitization is ongoing across the country. In short, the process is in moving on as per the plan,” Ms Mitei said.
But as Ms Mitei expressed confidence that all was ready and all stakeholders had been engaged, teachers’ unions insist they have not been consulted and demand access to the report to understand what the transition entails.
From left: Kenya National Union of Teachers National Chairman Patrick Karinga, Secretary General Collins Oyuu and Deputy Secretary General Hesbon Otieno hold hands during a press conference in Nairobi on July 1, 2025.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
Knut National Chairman Patrick Karinga said the union had only received information about the transition through the media and had not yet been furnished with formal details.
“We are getting through the media that this thing is to begin by the first of December. We are still skeptical; we want them to show us the draft to know what is in the draft. We cannot agree to something we have not seen. But as of now, we are still engaging because we want to ensure teachers are not inconvenienced during the transition,” said Mr Karinga.
He emphasised that while the current medical cover under Minet is set to end in November, the union believes an amicable agreement can still be reached before the transition to the new scheme takes effect.
KNUT Deputy Secretary General Hesbon Agola expressed concern that TSC could be rushing the process without adequately addressing the shortcomings of the current scheme, which has faced repeated complaints from members over delayed approvals and limited benefits.
“As things stand, we remain skeptical,” Mr Agola added.
“If the draft fails to meet teachers’ expectations, we will have no choice but to reject it. Teachers’ welfare cannot be negotiated behind closed doors.”
The Knut official further proposed that if the existing contract expires before an agreement is reached, it should be extended for at least two months to allow time for proper consultation.
“What matters most is that the final scheme serves teachers fairly, efficiently, and with dignity,” Mr Agola said.
Kuppet Deputy Secretary-General Moses Nthurima, on his part, warned that the delay in clarifying the new medical cover has caused widespread anxiety among teachers.
“There is a lot of anxiety, and teachers are struggling to get treatment,” said Mr Nthurima.
“The situation is dire because the current contract expires in November, and we have not seen any communication from the Commission.”
He revealed that more than 300,000 teachers could be affected if the transition is not handled carefully.
“We expected the TSC to sign another contract with the underwriter before finalising transition issues, but that has not happened. The earlier the TSC becomes clear on these matters, the better,” he said.
Mr Nthurima added that the uncertainty has left many teachers fearful of seeking medical care, with some reportedly being turned away at hospitals.
“The number of teachers now struggling to access medical attention is growing. If I am sick, I will struggle to get treatment because of this confusion,” he said.
The Social Health Authority building in Nairobi.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Kenya Teachers in Hardship and Arid Areas Welfare Association (KETHAWA) National Secretary Ndung'u Wangenye supported the planned move to SHA.
He noted that Minet, being a private company, has been making exorbitant profits at the expense of teachers’ medical treatment.
According to him, most hospitals are currently not accepting the Minet insurance cover, leaving teachers stranded when seeking healthcare services.
“If the government can provide a comprehensive medical cover for teachers under the Social Health Authority, then that is the way to go,” Mr Wangenye said.
