Wetang’ula Steps In to Avert Teachers’ Health Scheme Crisis as Strike Deadline Looms
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, has moved to defuse a growing crisis in Kenya’s education sector, offering to mediate a bitter dispute between teachers and the government over the controversial Social Health Authority (SHA) medical scheme.
His intervention comes amid escalating tensions, with the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) issuing a two-week ultimatum to the government—warning that failure to address their grievances could trigger a nationwide teachers’ strike.
Union officials say the new health scheme has left teachers financially strained and with limited access to quality healthcare, despite recent government assurances that reforms had addressed key concerns.
“We do not want teachers to continue suffering when they are being deducted twice,” said KNUT Vice Chairman Aggrey Murumba Namisi.
“They are being deducted from the SHA scheme, and Mwalimu covers them. You should let teachers choose the facilities they want to be treated at and not have SHA choose for them. If you do not fix it in the next 14 days, we will fix it.”
The warning sets the stage for a high-stakes standoff, with union leaders expected to reconvene by April 8 to assess whether the government has honored its commitments—or proceed with industrial action.
Speaking on Saturday after meeting teachers from Bungoma County at his Kanduyi residence, Mr Wetang’ula acknowledged the seriousness of the complaints and pledged swift action.
“The challenges you have presented are serious,” he said.
“I will meet Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale next week to discuss practical solutions and ensure they are resolved without delay.”
The Speaker noted that the discontent is not confined to a single region, citing similar grievances from teachers in Kuria, Narok, and Ndhiwa—an indication of widespread dissatisfaction with the SHA rollout.
While welcoming the transition to the new health system, he stressed that its success hinges on accessibility and fairness for all beneficiaries.
“These challenges are widespread and are limiting teachers from fully benefiting from the new scheme,” he added.
The dispute persists despite a recent breakthrough announced after a high-level meeting in Mombasa involving the Teachers Service Commission, SHA officials, and unions including the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers.
That meeting resulted in key concessions, including the scrapping of co-payments and an expansion of medical cover—moves that temporarily halted a planned strike.
However, grassroots union officials have rejected the deal, arguing it fails to address deeper structural issues within the scheme.
Bungoma KUPPET Executive Secretary Augustine Luketero warned that teachers are still facing high out-of-pocket costs and diminished benefits compared to previous arrangements.
The coming days are now seen as critical, with Mr Wetang’ula’s planned talks with the Health Ministry potentially determining whether Kenya’s schools face disruption—or a last-minute resolution.
Also Read: Kenyan Recruited for Job Abroad Ends Up on Ukraine Frontline