Teachers End Strike After SHA Resolves Medical Scheme Dispute

Teachers unions have suspended a planned strike after the Social Health Authority (SHA), the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), and the two major unions reached agreement on key medical cover disputes in Mombasa on Wednesday.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) had threatened industrial action from April 27, 2026, when schools reopen for the second term. However, both unions stood down following a consultative meeting that produced agreements on overseas evacuation, IVF treatment, co-pay, and last expense payments.

What Triggered the Teachers SHA Strike Threat

Teachers had complained for months about reduced outpatient cover. SHA had cut the limit from Sh10,000 to between Sh1,200 and Sh2,500. This angered teachers across the country and pushed both unions to threaten industrial action.

KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori confirmed the meeting addressed these complaints directly. He said a joint technical committee will now oversee the scheme permanently.

“The outpatient cover reduction brought a lot of uproar,” Misori said. “We have now gotten the assurance that SHA, TSC, and ourselves will operate a joint technical committee to address systemic issues.”

Meanwhile, SHA had also failed to cover IVF treatment and overseas medical evacuation since taking over from the previous insurer in December 2025. Both issues came to a head at Wednesday’s meeting.

SHA Covers IVF and Restarts Overseas Evacuation

KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu announced that SHA approved Nairobi West Hospital to provide IVF services with immediate effect. He said six cases were already waiting for referral that morning.

“Today, the chapter is closed. Our women with fertility cases shall no longer go to fertility centres without cover,” Oyuu said. “That should start immediately.”

In addition, Oyuu confirmed that overseas evacuation has restarted. The first case, a child, flew to India on Wednesday night after proper authorisation and referral.

Furthermore, SHA contracted nine overseas hospitals in Turkey, India, and Saudi Arabia to treat teachers requiring specialist services not available in Kenya. SHA and TSC published the full list on their websites.

SHA Bans Co-Pay and Sets Last Expense Deadline

SHA Chief Executive Dr. Mercy Mwangangi confirmed that co-pay is illegal under the SHA contract with healthcare providers. She warned that SHA will de-contract any facility that charges teachers extra fees.

“No teacher should face co-payment,” Mwangangi said. “If a provider co-charge you, alert SHA immediately for de-contracting.”

Oyuu added that SHA will publish the names of offending providers in the Kenya Gazette. He said SHA will also release a list of providers who claim they have not received payment, to expose those lying to teachers.

Meanwhile, SHA Chairperson Dr. Abdi Mohamed confirmed that last expense benefits of Sh300,000 per member will reach next of kin from Wednesday, April 29, 2026. He said 160 initial claims are already processed and ready for payment.

As a result, the five institutions; TSC, SHA, KNUT, KUPPET, and KUSNET,  will form a National Joint Steering Committee. The committee meets within 21 days. In addition, 47 County Joint Committees now operate in every county to resolve local issues on a quarterly basis.

Oyuu urged teachers to remain patient as the agreements take effect. “We shall never sleep until this is actualised,” he said.