A fresh storm is brewing over the Sh20 billion medical scheme for teachers as the government moves to migrate all tutors to the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA) by December 1, 2025.
This decision leaves the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) with barely 72 days to prepare a transition plan, sparking anxiety among educators who are still adjusting to past changes in their medical cover.
Currently, teachers are under a privately managed medical insurance plan.
The government now insists that all tutors will be absorbed into SHA, which will consolidate health insurance into one system for every Kenyan. Officials argue this will reduce costs, close loopholes, and create equal access to healthcare.
However, teachers’ unions and stakeholders have already raised concerns.
Many fear that a rushed shift could disrupt access to critical health services, especially for those undergoing long-term treatment.
Questions are also being asked on whether SHA has the capacity to handle a scheme worth Sh20 billion and cater for over 300,000 teachers and their families without delays or breakdowns.
The TSC has yet to issue clear communication on how the migration will be handled or what happens to ongoing contracts with private providers.
With the December deadline approaching fast, teachers remain in limbo, anxiously waiting to see whether the SHA takeover will bring better healthcare or a painful new crisis.
