KNUT top executives, led by Chair Hon. Patrick Munuhe and SG Collins Oyuu, during a PS Julius Bitok visit to discuss parliamentary sessional paper No.1on the operationalization of comprehensive schools
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Collins Oyuu has issued a stern warning to the government against interfering with the teachers’ Minet medical cover. He cautioned that plans to shift the cover from Minet Kenya to the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA) could destabilize the welfare of over 450,000 teachers and their dependents.
Oyuu noted that the SHA scheme is already facing multiple challenges, including delays in service delivery, overstretched health facilities, and administrative inefficiencies. According to him, subjecting teachers to the new structure would be a direct attack on their healthcare rights. He emphasized that teachers deserve an efficient, transparent, and reliable medical scheme that guarantees timely access to treatment.
The KNUT boss further warned that if the government insists on pushing teachers into SHA, the union will mobilize educators across the country to protect their rights. Such action, he said, could lead to serious disruptions in the education sector.
What Teachers Currently Get from the Minet Kenya Medical Cover
The Minet medical scheme is regarded as one of the most comprehensive insurance plans available for public servants in Kenya. Currently, teachers benefit from:
- Inpatient services – Hospital admissions, surgery, specialist treatment, and accommodation.
- Outpatient services – General consultations, laboratory tests, radiology, and prescribed medication.
- Dental and optical cover – Check-ups, extractions, fillings, spectacles, and other eye care.
- Maternity care – Prenatal, delivery, and postnatal services, including caesarean sections.
- Chronic and pre-existing conditions – Long-term care for illnesses such as cancer, hypertension, and diabetes.
- Emergency medical evacuation – Local and regional evacuation during life-threatening situations.
- Mental health and counseling – Coverage for psychiatric treatment and professional therapy.
- Funeral cover – Financial support for dependents in case of a member’s death.
Despite occasional complaints from members about service delivery in some facilities, teachers widely acknowledge Minet Kenya as a relatively dependable provider.
Minet Kenya vs Social Health Authority (SHA): Key Differences
| Aspect | Minet Kenya Teachers’ Cover | SHA Proposed Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Target Members | 450,000+ teachers and dependents | All Kenyans under universal health plan |
| Funding Source | Deductions from teachers’ payslips | Mandatory contributions from all Kenyans |
| Coverage | Inpatient, outpatient, maternity, dental, optical, psychiatric, chronic illnesses, evacuation, funeral | Primarily inpatient & outpatient, limited clarity on extras |
| Access to Facilities | Dedicated partner hospitals for teachers | Shared with general population |
| Efficiency | Relatively structured and faster approvals | History of bureaucracy and delays |
| Emergency Evacuation | Fully included | Not clearly outlined |
| Mental Health | Covered comprehensively | Unclear and facility-dependent |
| Dependents | Spouse and children fully covered | Unclear extent of dependent coverage |
| Reliability | Established structures with moderate stability | Untested and risky during rollout |
Why KNUT Rejects SHA for Teachers’ Medical Scheme
KNUT argues that shifting teachers to the Social Health Authority exposes them to the same frustrations faced under the former NHIF system. Long queues, delayed hospital payments, and limited coverage already cast doubt on SHA’s ability to manage a scheme of this scale.
Oyuu maintains that while Minet Kenya may not be perfect, it has proven structures in place. Abolishing the cover without a well-prepared replacement would be a catastrophe for educators.
This dispute signals a potential major showdown between teachers and the government. With teachers already dissatisfied over delayed promotions and increased deductions from their payslips, tampering with their medical cover could ignite nationwide protests.
