The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has called for urgent reforms to the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical scheme, citing cases where teachers have allegedly been detained in hospitals due to unpaid medical bills.
Speaking on Tuesday March 3, after the first National Executive Board meeting following the election of Junior Schools officials, KUPPET leaders expressed concern over what they described as failures in the implementation of the new medical cover.
KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori said the transition from AON Minet to the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund administered by SHA has left many teachers stranded with unsettled hospital bills.
“The health cover is not working at all and is not giving teachers the comfort they anticipated, we want TSC and SHA to come clean on how the scheme works. Teachers should not be conducting fundraisers to clear hospital bills,” said Misori.
He further urged SHA Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi to clarify the procedures teachers should follow when payment disputes arise.
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KUPPET Chairperson Amboko Milemba revealed that at least 14 teachers are currently detained in various health facilities across the country after SHA failed to settle their claims.
“We demand SHA to work for teachers or quit if it does not support the medical cover. We forgot fundraising for teachers 15 years ago when AON Minet took over,” Milemba stated.
In 2025, the government relocated teachers’ medical cover from AON Minet to SHA as part of broader health sector reforms aimed at harmonising and centrally managing medical benefits for all public servants. However, teacher unions argue that the transition has been poorly managed, leaving educators vulnerable during medical emergencies.
KUPPET is now calling on both the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and SHA to urgently address the challenges facing teachers under the new scheme.
By Obegi Malack
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