There is uncertainty among teachers ahead of the planned transfer of their health insurance services from Minet Kenya to the Social Health Authority (SHA), amid claims of forced migration and lack of consultation.
The Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, confirmed the transition is on track ahead of the mandatory deadline of December 1, 2025.
Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
Photo credit: File| Nation Media Group
“I held a meeting with the Teachers Service Commission and Social Health Authority Steering Committee on the TSC transition to SHA. Preparations are on track, and measures to strengthen coordination are in place to ensure the smooth implementation of the planned transfer on December 1 2025,” said Mr Koskei on his social media pages.
The announcement comes as teachers’ union officials stated they are retreating to seek consultation from their members regarding the transfer, citing resistance and claims of insufficient prior engagement.
“It was reported that the national office has been invited by TSC to a meeting on December 10, 2025 to discuss the proposed medical cover under SHA. It was agreed that this document be shared with our members for feedback before a decision is taken on the way forward,” said a Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) official who wished to remain anonymous.
Adding to the controversy, two teachers have contested the transition to SHA in court. In a petition filed before the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kisumu, the two teachers argue that the decision to move about 400,000 teachers from the Minet medical insurance scheme to SHA from December 1 is illegal.
They claim the move fundamentally alters teachers’ terms and conditions of service, exposes them to imminent loss of medical benefits, and risks interruption of treatment.
Further, they argue the transition might place thousands of teachers – including those with chronic illnesses – at immediate risk of irreparable harm.
Kenya National Teachers Pressure Group spokesperson Martha Omollo addresses journalists in Nairobi on October 4, 2021.
Photo credit: Mark Munywoki | Nation Media Group
Peter Amunga and Martha Omollo said SHA is not a medical insurance provider, but a statutory fund incapable of providing guarantees such as risk underwriting, evacuation, overseas referrals, and comprehensive cover previously enjoyed under Minet.
“The impugned decision was made without any public participation, contrary to Article 10 of the Constitution, and without consultation with teachers, unions, or other stakeholders,” the teachers said in the application.
They further argued that the teachers’ employer has not released any actuarial studies, risk analyses, implementation frameworks, or procurement records, raising serious concerns about legality, capacity, and readiness.
“The migration exposes teachers to immediate and irreparable harm, including interruption of ongoing medical treatment, denial of care, loss of emergency evacuation, and loss of chronic disease management support.”
The court directed them to serve the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Ministry of Health, Treasury, and other respondents with the court documents in readiness for the hearing on 10 December 2025.
Social Health Authority (SHA) signage at Mutuini Hospital in Dagoretti South Sub-County, Nairobi, on August 27, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
The petition alleges that TSC has violated Article 47 of the Constitution and the Fair Administrative Action Act by failing to issue prior notice, give reasons, invite representations, or consult affected persons before altering teachers’ medical benefits.
“The decision unlawfully alters teachers’ terms and conditions of service, contrary to Article 41 of the Constitution and the Employment Act, as medical insurance forms a fundamental part of employment benefits,” the petitioners said.
Teachers’ unions, which had previously expressed scepticism before agreeing to support the transition, are now retreating to consult members.
A Kuppet official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that national officials have been invited by the TSC to a meeting on December 10, 2025 to discuss the SHA cover.
Another senior official of the Kenya National Union of Teachers told the Daily Nation that the union has held several meetings with regional chapters from Coast, Nyanza, Eastern, Rift Valley, and Western regions regarding the matter.
