A New Era for Teacher Healthcare

More than 400,000 Kenyan teachers and their dependents are set to be migrated from their long-standing private medical insurance, administered by Minet Kenya, to the new government-managed Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme, effective Saturday, December 1, 2025. The move, confirmed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), marks a significant policy shift, integrating educators into the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF) as part of broader national healthcare reforms.

The transition follows months of intense negotiations between the TSC and teachers' unions, including the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET). An agreement was reached on Monday, November 10, 2025, paving the way for the changeover as the current Sh20 billion Minet contract expires at the end of November 2025.

Expanded Benefits and Access Promised

Government and TSC officials have presented the new scheme as a significant upgrade. A key promise is the vast expansion of the hospital network, from approximately 800 facilities under Minet to over 9,000 public, private, and faith-based hospitals accessible through SHA. TSC Acting CEO Evaleen Mitei has assured teachers that the new cover will retain and enhance existing benefits.

The comprehensive package is set to cover a principal member, one spouse, and up to five children. Benefits include inpatient and outpatient services, dental and optical care, maternity services, overseas treatment, radiology, and management of chronic illnesses. Specific limits have been outlined, such as maternity coverage of up to KSh 30,000 for a C-section and KSh 10,000 for normal delivery, and overseas treatment capped at KSh 500,000. The admission process is also slated to be fully automated to reduce delays and rejections that were a common complaint under the previous scheme.

Union Demands and Lingering Questions

Despite the official agreement, the transition is not without apprehension. Before the deal was struck, teachers' unions had issued stern warnings, demanding full transparency on the new scheme's details. KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu insisted that teachers would not be "guinea pigs" for a system they did not understand, demanding a clear breakdown of benefits and the hospital network before the December 1 deadline. Similarly, KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori had called for a halt to the rollout until all concerns were addressed.

Key demands from the unions included the preservation of all existing benefits, clarity on contribution rates, and the inclusion of a group life cover. While officials have stated that teachers will not face additional deductions, with taxpayers reportedly absorbing an additional Sh11 billion cost, some union leaders and members remain cautious. Concerns persist regarding potential service disruptions, the SHA's capacity to manage such a large scheme, and whether the promised improvements will materialize. Some branch officials, like KUPPET's Bungoma Chairperson David Barasa, have criticized the national leadership for endorsing the move, arguing it may not solve long-standing issues like pre-authorization delays.

The Path Forward

The TSC has moved to reassure educators, stating it has revamped its medical division and is sensitizing staff to ensure a smooth transition. Teachers are being advised to register for the new scheme via the SHA website or by dialing a USSD code (*147#), and to update their dependents' details at SHA branches or Huduma Centres. A joint technical committee comprising officials from TSC, SHA, and the unions has been established to oversee the implementation.

While the national leadership of KNUT and KUPPET have cautiously welcomed the move as a progressive step, they have also reserved the right to withdraw if the new scheme proves unfavorable. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the shift to the Social Health Authority delivers on its promise of better, more efficient, and accessible healthcare for Kenya's educators, or if the initial fears of confusion and service disruption will be realized. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED on the final, signed contract details to verify all benefit levels.