SHA medical scheme for teachers launches midnight amid system errors, legal challenge

The migration of over 400,000 teachers to the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical scheme will take effect from midnight despite concerns over limited accredited facilities in certain regions and pending court petitions.

The tutors say many are struggling to register, with some reporting missing one-time passwords and confusing system instructions.

The government-run SHA scheme replaces the Sh15 billion Minet insurance cover that has served teachers since 2015, with the transition valued at Sh20 billion and administered by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) through the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF).

The shift comes amid an expected legal showdown after two teachers moved to court seeking to stop the transfer from Minet/AON. While the Employment and Labour Relations Court did not halt the transition on Wednesday, it scheduled the hearing of conservatory orders for December 10. The petition challenges the migration, arguing it is unlawful, lacks public participation and alters teachers’ terms of service.

Minet’s cover lapses on November 30.

TSC says the new scheme will offer expanded benefits, automated service approvals and access to more than 9,000 healthcare facilities nationwide, up from the 816 previously accredited under Minet. Teachers have received messages directing them to onboard to the new system and update the details of dependents before December 1.

“Dear Teachers, SHA welcomes you to the new Comprehensive Mwalimu Medical Cover. Please confirm and/or update your dependents by dialling *147# or by visiting sha.go.ke, afyayangu.go.ke. The medical scheme will be active effective 1st Dec 2025,” reads the message.

Despite the communication, teachers report limited sensitisation on the structure of the new cover, benefits, or facilities, fueling uncertainty. Several cited frustrations with the SHA customer support.

“When I’m trying to register, I’m told to use a different number from the one I used in my initial registration. Am I going to register another number, or can I use my spouse’s number instead?” Another teacher reported waiting three days for a one-time password.

Some educators expressed fears over potential system failures, while others criticised union leaders for accepting the deal.

“Teachers have been auctioned by their union leaders due to greed. Teachers are unionless in reality,” another one said.

Under the new scheme, each teacher will be covered as the principal member, along with their spouse and up to five dependents, including children under 21 or up to 25 if enrolled in full-time post-secondary education. Some benefits are uniform across all job groups, such as an annual dental cover of Sh45,000 and optical services up to Sh60,000.

Inpatient services range between Sh1 million and Sh3 million per year, depending on job group, while outpatient services range from Sh150,000 to Sh450,000. All teachers will have an overseas treatment cover of Sh2.2 million and a last-expense benefit of Sh300,000 for the principal member or dependents.

Unions have urged teachers to remain calm and assess the scheme before raising concerns.

“The teachers are aware that they will be moving to a new scheme starting Monday. We suggested that exit clauses be included to allow either party to act quickly if needed. Teachers should not be worried about the new scheme — they cannot be concerned about something they have not yet experienced. We urge them to remain calm, observe, and wait,” Kenya National Union of Teachers, Deputy Secretary Hesbon Otieno said.

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He added that the unions will make recommendations for adjustments after six months.

“We have given ourselves six months to consult with our members. We are engaging with teachers from across the country to keep a close watch and ensure their interests are represented,” he said

Moses Nthurima, Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), Deputy Secretary General, said the introduction of new initiatives often faces resistance, since many teachers are currently wary of government programmes due to perceived shortcomings in the SHA medical scheme.

“Anything new has faced resistance because currently, teachers are worried that they cannot trust anything that the government is offering, considering that SHA itself has its shortfalls. We assure members that this scheme has a very clear cancellation clause that calls for a notice to be given within 30 days. I think I’m right. And then, cancellation can come in three months. So let us not get worried. Our duty as representatives of teachers is to look into it, so that the best is provided for our teachers. The worry that follows is about how this will be managed,” he said.

The new arrangement also simplifies management of chronic conditions, allowing private sector care without pre-qualification. Turnaround times for approvals and claims have been improved, and dedicated officers will support teachers during the transition.

Under POMSF, Job Group B (5,233 teachers) will have unlimited inpatient and outpatient cover, dental (Sh45,000), optical (Sh60,000), maternity (Sh120,000), funeral expenses (Sh300,000), and international treatment plus travel (Sh2 million and Sh200,000, respectively). Job Groups C1 (112,165 teachers) to C5 (28,036 teachers) retain unlimited outpatient and inpatient cover for lower groups, with higher C groups capped at Sh1.5–Sh1.8 million. Job Groups D1 (8,183 teachers) to D5 (428 teachers) will enjoy the highest coverage, ranging from Sh2 million to Sh3 million.

The unions said they will continue monitoring the scheme and may trigger the exit clause if the cover fails to meet agreed standards.