Teachers threaten nationwide strike over failing SHA medical cover
Teachers across Kenya have threatened to go on strike over persistent problems with their medical cover under the Social Health Authority (SHA), barely three months after they were moved to the new system.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government, warning that learning in schools could be disrupted if the challenges are not resolved.
The union says the new health scheme has failed to provide reliable healthcare services to teachers despite mandatory deductions from their salaries.
According to KUPPET leaders, several teachers have been denied treatment in hospitals or forced to pay medical bills out of pocket because the system has experienced frequent breakdowns and delays in approving claims.
KUPPET officials revealed that at least 14 teachers are currently detained in hospitals across the country due to unpaid bills linked to problems with the SHA medical cover.
The union says this situation has forced teachers to organise fundraisers to clear hospital bills for their colleagues, something that had not happened for many years under the previous medical insurance scheme managed by AON Minet.
Union Secretary-General Akello Misori said the transition from the previous scheme to the SHA-administered Public Officers’ Medical Scheme Fund has left teachers vulnerable and confused about how to access medical services.
He noted that some hospitals have stopped accepting teachers under the scheme because the claims process and pre-authorisation system are slow and overburdened.
KUPPET chairman Omboko Milemba warned that teachers will withdraw from the scheme if the problems persist, insisting that educators should not be forced to raise money to access healthcare while they already contribute heavily to the medical fund.
Teachers were moved to the SHA Mwalimu Cover in December 2025 after the previous medical administrator’s contract expired.
The scheme was designed to provide comprehensive benefits, including inpatient and outpatient care, maternity services, dental and optical treatment, and emergency evacuation.
However, unions say the system has not worked as promised, prompting the looming strike threat.
In a quick rejoinder, the government through the Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale denied teachers are being denied SHA treatment.
Instead, Duale said the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF) administered by the Social Health Authority (SHA) is performing well and continues to provide uninterrupted services to teachers and their dependents.
His statement came after KUPPET declared plans to pull out of the new medical scheme, arguing that the system has been failing teachers seeking treatment.
