The plan to shift more than 400,000 teachers from their long-running MINET/AON private medical scheme to the government-managed Social Health Authority (SHA) has run into serious headwinds, with disagreements among teachers, unions and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) threatening to stall the process.
The transition was introduced as part of Kenya’s Universal Health Care (UHC) reforms, which aim to bring public servants under a single healthcare financing system administered by SHA, the institution that replaced the defunct NHIF.
Under the new arrangement, teachers were to be enrolled in the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF), covering services such as inpatient and outpatient care, maternity, chronic illness management and specialist treatment.
Despite assurances that the new Mwalimu Comprehensive Medical Cover would expand access to healthcare through a wider national hospital network, the rollout has been marked by uncertainty.
Since the transition took effect on December 1, 2025, teachers across various regions have reported difficulties accessing services, unclear benefit limits and confusion over facility accreditation.
At the heart of the dispute is strong resistance from educators and union officials, who argue that the shift to SHA was implemented without adequate consultation and undermines previously negotiated employment terms.
Many teachers claim the new system removes medical allowances and valued private insurance benefits without offering clear compensation, raising fears of reduced coverage despite continued statutory deductions.
The situation has been further complicated by legal action, with teachers filing petitions at the Employment and Labour Relations Court in late 2025.
The cases challenge the transition process, citing rushed implementation, lack of stakeholder engagement and risks to continuity of care for teachers with ongoing medical conditions.
Although the court declined to suspend the rollout, it directed stakeholders to pursue further engagement, leaving critical legal questions unresolved.
Concerns have also emerged over healthcare infrastructure, with reports from some counties indicating that SHA-accredited facilities are either too few or too far, especially for specialised treatment once covered under private schemes.
This has fuelled calls for alternative arrangements or partial retention of private insurance options.
TSC and government officials insist the transition will stabilise over time, pointing to promised efficiencies in claims processing, transparency and expanded access.
A Joint Technical Committee, comprising union and TSC representatives, has been formed to oversee the implementation and address concerns, though mistrust among stakeholders persists.
For now, the teachers’ medical cover transition remains partially rolled out, legally contested and politically sensitive, leaving thousands of educators uncertain whether the SHA deal will ultimately deliver its promised benefits or require major adjustments to safeguard their health and financial security.
Tags
Health