The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has issued a strong warning to the government, threatening to pull out of the newly rolled out Social Health Authority (SHA) medical scheme, which it says has left thousands of teachers unable to access basic treatment.
Speaking during a celebration event for Aggrey Namisi, who was reelected as KNUT’s national deputy chairperson for a second term, union officials accused the SHA cover of being riddled with administrative hurdles and systemic failures.
“Teachers are struggling to receive medical services under this arrangement. Enough is enough,” a senior union official said during the event.
The union has now given a clear ultimatum: if the government fails to urgently address the challenges, KNUT will not only withdraw from the SHA agreement but will also call a nationwide teachers’ strike.
The remarks were echoed by Jacklyne Mulinidi, KNUT’s Kakamega County treasurer, and political leaders John Wanyama and Isaac Wanjekeche from Bungoma County, who argued that the scheme’s problems are not limited to teachers but are affecting ordinary citizens as well.
“SHA has too many loopholes. Patients are being turned away, and paperwork delays are denying people life-saving treatment,” Wanjekeche said.
In a separate appeal, teachers from western Kenya were urged to close ranks and push for stronger representation within the union’s leadership. Maurice Chalenga, KNUT secretary in Vihiga County, said the region must leverage Namisi’s reelection to demand better services and a more responsive medical cover.
“We welcome Namisi’s victory, but now we need action. Let us unite and speak with one voice on SHA and other welfare issues,” Chalenga said.
As pressure mounts, all eyes are now on the government to see whether it will move fast enough to avert what could be a crippling strike by teachers across the country.