The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) is calling on the government to urgently brief teachers on the upcoming transition from the Minet medical scheme to the new Social Health Authority (SHA) cover, which officially takes effect on December 1, 2025.
Speaking ahead of the rollout, KNUT leaders said teachers feel unprepared for the change and fear potential service disruptions at health facilities.
Deputy Secretary General Hesbon Otieno said the government must ensure that teachers can access medical services without confusion or delays once the SHA cover replaces Minet.
“Teachers should not struggle at hospitals because of a transition they were barely informed about,” Otieno said, urging the Ministry of Health to address concerns before the switch takes effect.
His sentiments were echoed by Mathenge Wanjau, the union’s Central Region Secretary, who said teachers are not opposed to the new scheme but want key issues resolved first.
“Teachers are moving from Minet to SHA. We don’t know which one is better because we have not tested SHA, even though we stayed with Minet for years and it was not perfect,” Wanjau said. “Before we transition, we’re demanding that these issues be fixed.”
Government Defends SHA’s Wider Coverage
According to government data, the new SHA medical scheme offers stronger, more comprehensive benefits than Minet, including outpatient, inpatient, maternity, dental, optical, and specialist care.
The scheme also widens access dramatically with a network of more than 9,000 accredited health facilities, compared to the roughly 800 hospitals that served teachers under Minet.
Union Pushes for Better Pay and Working Conditions
Alongside concerns over the medical cover, KNUT used its meeting in Ol-Kalou to renew calls for improved salaries and better working conditions as part of the ongoing 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) talks.
Otieno noted that teachers are still struggling under stagnant pay structures and urged the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to review their salaries urgently.
He also criticized current promotion policies, saying teachers are evaluated based on appraisals rather than academic qualifications an approach he argues has demoralized many in the profession.
“Teachers invest in further studies, but the system does not reward that effort. This must be reviewed,” Otieno said.
As the December 1 transition looms, KNUT maintains that clear communication and strong support will be essential to avoid chaos during the rollout of the SHA medical cover.
