Teachers across the country will officially transition to the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical cover beginning December 1, following a new agreement between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and teacher unions.
Speaking during an engagement forum with teacher unions and associations at Safari Park Hotel this morning, TSC Acting CEO Eveleen Mitei reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening teacher welfare through sustained dialogue and collaboration.
Mitei announced that the transition process had been finalised after extensive consultations with stakeholders, including KNUT, KUPPET, KUSNET, KESSHA, and KEPSHA.
A joint technical committee has been formed to oversee the implementation and ensure a smooth shift to the new system under the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF).
She explained that the revamped medical scheme aims to address long-standing issues, including limited provider networks, lengthy preauthorisation processes, and substandard service delivery.
Mitei emphasised that TSC’s restructured Medical Division will coordinate closely with unions and service providers to ensure uninterrupted medical coverage for all teachers.
The new arrangement is expected to expand access to quality healthcare facilities and guarantee faster service delivery across the country.
The accord comes after weeks of tense negotiations, with union leaders—including KUPPET’s Akello Misori, KNUT’s Collins Oyuu, and KUSNET’s James Torome—holding firm to ensure that teachers’ welfare remains a priority.
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The unions successfully secured assurances from SHA officials that the new scheme will improve access to quality healthcare, streamline services, and include vital benefits that teachers have long demanded.
The unions had raised serious concerns over the migration, citing lack of transparency, limited hospital access, and bureaucratic delays under the previous system. Teachers had warned they would not accept a scheme whose terms were unclear or which failed to deliver timely medical services.
Under the new SHA arrangement, teachers will have access to over 9,000 health facilities nationwide, a significant upgrade from the 800 facilities available under Minet. Key improvements include group life cover, unrestricted access to both public and private hospitals, and faster service delivery, addressing major pain points that have plagued the teaching profession.
The union’s officials hailed the agreement as a “victory for teachers’ rights and dignity,” emphasizing that the unions would continue to monitor the rollout to ensure promised services are delivered.
They noted that teachers “deserve a medical plan that guarantees prompt, quality care without unnecessary delays.”
The move also brings relief to the Kenya Teachers Health and Welfare Association (Kethawa), which had cautioned that any rushed implementation could jeopardize teachers’ livelihoods. With the agreement now in place, thousands of teachers can look forward to enhanced medical support and peace of mind as the new scheme rolls out.
As the Minet cover expires on November 30, 2025, the SHA scheme promises a fresh chapter in teachers’ healthcare, one that reflects their dedication, hard work, and the critical role they play in shaping Kenya’s future.
By Joseph Mambili and Philip Koech
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