KNUT Nakuru branch secretary Anthony Gioche has opposed plans to enroll teachers in the Social Health Authority scheme, insisting they prefer an independent medical cover tailored for their needs.

Teachers under the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) have opposed the government’s plan to enrol them on the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical insurance scheme.

Speaking in Nakuru, KNUT branch secretary Anthony Gioche said members would resist any attempt by the Ministry of Health to transition them into SHA once their current contract with a private insurer expires.

He pointed out that other civil servants, including the police, had already raised concerns over challenges with the scheme. Gioshe insisted that teachers lacked confidence in the new model of medical cover.

“We have heard a story from the government that they want to move us into SHA. We have no problem with the Social Health Authority, but we are saying this, we will not go there,” Gioche declared.

He further argued that teachers, given their numbers and role as the largest employer under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), deserved an independent scheme tailored to their needs.

“What we are saying is this, even if the cover with the private insurance company will not be renewed, we want to have our own independent cover,” he added.

The existing medical cover, which teachers praised, extends benefits to the employee, a spouse, and up to four children. It caters for inpatient, outpatient, maternity, optical, and dental care, while also providing group life assurance and funeral expenses. Teachers noted that access was seamless through payroll numbers or biometric verification, without the need for physical cards.

In the past, educators have complained about double deductions for SHA and their existing policies, prompting government intervention. Education PS Julius Bitok pledged that the issue would be reviewed, signalling possible changes to teachers’ payslips.

The union’s rejection of SHA comes just days before a scheduled meeting at State House, Nairobi, where President William Ruto is expected to engage over 3,000 teacher representatives on education sector challenges.

Those invited include leaders from KNUT, the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA), and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET).