Kenya’s teaching fraternity is staring at a possible showdown with the government after union leaders hinted at pulling out of the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical scheme, citing frustrations that have left teachers vulnerable when seeking healthcare.
The threat, delivered just days before schools reopen, has raised fears of a nationwide strike that could paralyze learning across the country.
The warning was issued during celebrations in Kisumu to mark the re‑election of Aggrey Namisi as national deputy chairperson of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT). What began as a jubilant occasion quickly turned into a fiery platform for grievances, with officials painting a grim picture of teachers stranded in hospitals due to delays, denial of treatment, and confusion under the SHA system.
Union leaders accused the scheme of failing to live up to expectations since replacing the previous medical insurance framework. They said teachers are being forced to dig into their own pockets for services that should be covered, eroding trust in the arrangement and undermining their welfare.
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The leadership now says withdrawal from SHA is firmly on the table, a move that would escalate tensions with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), which oversees teachers’ employment benefits. Officials warned that unless urgent reforms are made, they will not hesitate to call a nationwide strike.
“This is not a privilege but a right,” one official declared, insisting that reliable healthcare is fundamental to teachers’ dignity and well-being. They argued that any system that compromises this must be reviewed without delay.
The looming standoff has placed the government and TSC under pressure to act swiftly. With schools set to reopen, failure to resolve the dispute could see thousands of teachers down their tools, disrupting learning for millions of pupils.
By Masaki Enock
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