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This comes as the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) strongly criticises the Council of Governors (CoG) over alleged infant deaths in Kiambu County.
The Kenya Teachers' Medical Scheme consortium has reaffirmed its dedication to the well-being of educators following the emergency air evacuation of a teacher from Mandera. The teacher sustained severe injuries from an explosion in Mandera town on Saturday evening, October 4, 2025.
After initial emergency surgery at Mandera County Referral Hospital, the teacher's condition remained critical, necessitating a referral to a more equipped facility. Administrators of the medical scheme in Mandera swiftly mobilised support, including a team visit and coordination of an emergency air evacuation to Nairobi. Edwin Kegode, General Manager for Managed Medical Care at Minet Kenya, which manages the scheme, stated that the patient suffered multiple upper limb injuries, including fractures to the left arm and a collapsed lung.
The teacher was airlifted on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 6:00 PM EAT and admitted to Nairobi West Hospital's intensive care unit by 10:30 PM EAT the same day, where they are currently undergoing treatment. This rapid response highlights the scheme's proactive approach to providing life-saving support and quality healthcare, particularly in remote and high-risk areas. Minet Kenya emphasised its commitment to monitoring the teacher's recovery and supporting their family.
In a separate but related development concerning healthcare, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has vehemently criticised the Council of Governors (CoG) for dismissing reports of alleged infant deaths in Kiambu County. KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah described the CoG's response as "heartless," "politically malicious," and a "grotesque display of indifference" to human life.
The union was reacting to a statement by CoG Chairperson and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, which rejected media reports on the alleged deaths of 131 infants as "pure mischief" and "false publication." Dr. Atellah challenged the CoG's assertion that health services in Kiambu are functional, citing death certificates, grieving families, and empty cribs as evidence. Doctors in Kiambu County have reportedly been on strike for four months, demanding seven months of overdue salaries.
KMPDU has demanded a public retraction and apology from the CoG, an independent investigation into the deaths, and meaningful engagement to restore functionality in Kiambu's health system. The union has also called on President William Ruto to dissolve the Kiambu County Government, accusing Governor Kimani Wamatangi's administration of "gross failure and criminal negligence" in managing the health sector.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) renewed its medical insurance contract with Minet Kenya Insurance Brokers Limited, ensuring continued coverage for TSC-employed educators and their families. This two-year extension maintains the existing structure, covering routine outpatient care to specialised treatments. The scheme adjusts benefits based on job grades, with inpatient coverage ranging from Ksh1 million for lower job groups to Ksh3 million for senior educators. Outpatient coverage ranges from Ksh150,000 to Ksh450,000. The scheme also includes emergency road or fixed-wing rescue and evacuation within East Africa.
Teachers access services by presenting their TSC number to empaneled service providers, without needing a physical card. A co-pay of Ksh100 is applicable for specialist outpatient doctor consultations, dental, and optical visits, but not for primary care outpatient visits or chronic medication collection.
The Social Health Insurance Act 2023, which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), scrapped the comprehensive cover previously enjoyed by civil servants. Under the new Act, all Kenyans are enrolled in the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme with a deduction of 2.75 percent of earnings. Teachers, like other civil servants, are expected to be onboarded under the Public Medical Scheme Fund, with ongoing negotiations chaired by the National Treasury.
The ongoing dispute between KMPDU and the CoG over the alleged infant deaths in Kiambu could escalate, potentially leading to a nationwide doctors' strike as threatened by KMPDU if no action is taken by October 25, 2025. This would severely impact healthcare services across the country. The successful medical evacuation in Mandera, however, underscores the critical role of robust medical schemes for professionals working in challenging environments.
The exact number of infant deaths in Kiambu County remains disputed, with the CoG rejecting KMPDU's figures. The specific details of the explosion in Mandera that injured the teacher have not been fully disclosed.
The public will be closely watching for the CoG's response to KMPDU's demands, particularly regarding the alleged infant deaths in Kiambu and the potential for a national doctors' strike. Further details on the ongoing negotiations for teachers' onboarding onto the Public Medical Scheme Fund are also anticipated.
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