Kenya's public school teachers have begun receiving medical services under the state-run Social Health Authority (SHA), marking one of the most significant shifts in public sector healthcare. The move, which took effect on December 1, 2025, transfers more than 400,000 teachers and their dependents from the Minet Kenya-led insurance consortium to the government's new comprehensive scheme dubbed 'Mwalimu Cover'.

The transition is a core component of the government's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, aimed at consolidating healthcare for all public servants under a unified framework. For teachers, this means the end of a decade-long partnership with a private insurer and entry into a system intended to streamline benefits and widen access to medical facilities.

A New Dawn for Teacher Welfare?

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has assured its members of a seamless transition, emphasizing that the new 'Mwalimu Cover' brings expanded benefits. Acting TSC CEO Evaleen Mitei confirmed that all teacher data, including that of 320 patients currently admitted in various hospitals, has been successfully migrated to the SHA system to prevent any service disruption.

Key enhancements under the new scheme include:

• Expanded Hospital Network: Teachers now have access to over 9,000 healthcare facilities nationwide, a significant jump from the 816 accredited under the previous Minet cover.
• Increased Dependent Coverage: The scheme covers the principal member, one spouse, and up to five children, an increase from the previous four. Dependents are covered up to age 21, or 25 if they are enrolled in full-time post-secondary education.
• Comprehensive Benefits: The cover includes outpatient, inpatient, dental, optical, maternity, and chronic illness management. It also provides for overseas treatment, air and road evacuation, and last expense benefits.
• Tiered Inpatient Limits: Benefits are structured according to job groups, with chief principals having an inpatient limit of up to KES 3 million, while primary school teachers at entry grade have a cover of KES 1 million.

Lingering Doubts and Legal Hurdles

Despite the government's assurances, the rollout has not been without apprehension. Some teachers have reported difficulties with the new registration system, citing delays in receiving one-time passwords and a lack of sufficient information about the accredited facilities. The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has urged the government to ensure educators are adequately informed to avoid hiccups while seeking services.

The transition also faces a legal challenge. Two teachers have filed a petition in the Employment and Labour Relations Court seeking to halt the migration, arguing it is unlawful and was done without adequate public participation. The court has scheduled a hearing for December 10, though it did not stop the transition from taking effect.

Officials have been actively monitoring the process. On the first day of the rollout, TSC and SHA officials toured Kenyatta National Hospital, where they confirmed that dozens of teachers had already been served under the new scheme without any hitches. TSC Director for Administrative Services, Ibrahim Mumin, noted that surveillance teams are deployed nationwide to manage the transition in real-time.

The Road Ahead

As teachers navigate this new healthcare landscape, the focus remains on the SHA's ability to deliver on its promise of more efficient and accessible medical care. The government has launched sensitization campaigns to educate teachers on how to access the services. The success of this monumental shift will ultimately be measured by the experiences of teachers on the ground—whether the new system truly improves their well-being and, by extension, their ability to shape the nation's future.