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Teachers Threaten Strike Over Medical Scheme Crisis

Kenya’s education sector is on the verge of disruption as teachers threaten to strike over a failed medical insurance scheme. The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has expressed outrage over the alleged mismanagement of the Sh10 billion meant for their medical cover under the Shujaa Health Assurance (SHA) scheme. Teachers claim they have been left stranded without access to critical health services, despite monthly deductions from their salaries.

Under its newly established Social Health Authority (SHA), Kenya is rolling out social health insurance financed by both tax revenues and individual/household premium contributions. Photo credit: File

The SHA medical insurance scheme, which was introduced to provide affordable healthcare to teachers and their families, has come under scrutiny. Teachers say they are being denied medical treatment due to non-payment of premiums by the government. KNUT officials have accused the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of failing to renew the insurance contract on time.

Samuel Muiruri, a KNUT branch official in Kiambu County, said that teachers are now forced to pay out-of-pocket for medical services. He added that many are unable to afford treatment for chronic illnesses. “This is unacceptable,” Muiruri said during a press briefing. “The government must act immediately or face a nationwide strike.”

The crisis affects over 300,000 teachers employed by TSC. Their families, who also depend on the SHA cover, are equally impacted. Public schools across Kenya are likely to suffer if teachers proceed with their planned strike. With schools set to reopen on February 6, 2025, parents and students fear that learning will be disrupted.

The situation has also drawn criticism from healthcare providers. Many hospitals have reportedly stopped offering services to teachers under SHA due to unpaid claims. A hospital administrator in Nairobi revealed that their facility had not received payments for over six months.

The problem began in November 2024 when the SHA contract expired. Normally, the government renews the contract annually without delays. However, this year, no renewal was made, leaving teachers without coverage as of December 2024.

KNUT officials say they have raised concerns with TSC multiple times since November but have received no response. The union gave a two-week ultimatum in January 2025 but says no action has been taken so far.

The issue is nationwide, affecting teachers in all 47 counties of Kenya. However, urban areas like Nairobi and Mombasa appear to be hit hardest due to higher living costs and healthcare expenses.

In rural areas, where access to healthcare facilities is already limited, teachers are facing even greater challenges. Many rely on dispensaries that may not offer advanced medical services.

Education stakeholders warn that a strike could cripple Kenya’s public education system. The country has already experienced disruptions due to a previous lecturers’ strike in universities that lasted over two months.

Parents are worried about their children’s education being interrupted again. “We just want our kids to learn,” said Jane Wanjiku, a parent from Nakuru County. “The government must solve this issue quickly.”

Moreover, this crisis raises questions about accountability in managing public funds. Teachers argue that they have faithfully contributed to SHA through salary deductions and deserve better treatment.

KNUT has called for an urgent meeting with TSC and the Ministry of Education to resolve the impasse. Union leaders insist that the Sh10 billion allocated for SHA must be accounted for and used appropriately.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has promised to address the matter but has not provided specific timelines or solutions. Meanwhile, KNUT has warned that if no resolution is reached by February 10, teachers will down their tools indefinitely.

This crisis highlights systemic issues within Kenya’s public service management systems. The failure to renew such an essential scheme reflects poor planning and prioritisation by authorities.

Teachers play a critical role in shaping Kenya’s future workforce. Neglecting their welfare not only affects them but also jeopardises national development goals tied to education.

Furthermore, this situation could set a dangerous precedent for other public servants who rely on similar schemes for healthcare coverage.

The looming teachers’ strike over the failed SHA medical scheme poses a significant threat to Kenya’s education sector. With schools reopening soon, stakeholders must act urgently to prevent further disruptions.

Failure to address this issue could lead to widespread dissatisfaction among public servants and erode trust in government institutions tasked with managing essential services like healthcare.

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