TSC to migrate teachers to SHA cover despite court battle

The transfer of teachers' medical cover to the government-run Social Health Authority(SHA) medical scheme is set to continue despite a court case challenging the migration.

The Standard has established that plans are at an advanced stage to onboard teachers into the scheme, with sources within TSC indicating that the migration is set for midnight on November 30.

This means that all teachers will be on boarded to the SHA scheme by December 1, when the government-run cover takes effect.

On Wednesday, two teachers moved to court seeking to stop the planned migration from MINET to SHA.

However, Justice Jacob Gakeri directed the application for conservatory orders to be heard on December 10, 

“There were no orders given to halt the migration. So this transition will just happen. Hearing on December 10, days after the SHA rollout,” a source at TSC said

The Standard has established that the insurer has directed teachers to register on the Social Health Authority (SHA) portal 

In a text message seen by the Standard, SHA has also asked the educators to update details of their 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," the message reads.

The planned move comes amid an expected legal showdown after two teachers moved to court seeking to stop the shift of their medical cover from private insurer Minet/AON.

The petitioners argue that the change risks interrupting ongoing treatment for thousands of teachers and dependents living with chronic ailments.

The petition before the Employment and Labour Relations Court challenges the planned migration scheduled for December 1, arguing that the move is unlawful, lacked public participation and fundamentally alters teachers’ terms of service. The current Minet cover lapses on November 30.

In the suit, petitioners Peter Kodhek Amunga and Martha Omollo want the court to halt the transition and issue conservatory orders restraining the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the Social Health Authority, the Ministry of Health, the National Treasury and the Attorney-General from enforcing the change until the matter is heard.

They argue that the decision was made without consultation with teachers or unions, and without following procurement laws.

“The decision was undertaken without public participation, contrary to Article 10 of the Constitution, and without engaging teachers, KNUT, KUPPET, KUSNET or other stakeholders,” the petition states.

Education stakeholders have now called on the government to ensure that the legal hurdles will not leave teachers in limbo.

Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) national chairperson Willy Kuria has called on relevant authorities to urgently address the concerns on the state of the cover.

Kuria said officials had previously been invited to review the medical cover at the point of its introduction, and at the time, it appeared comprehensive and beneficial.

“We were taken through the details of the cover, and at that time, we found it to be good. However, if the transition happens, then we hope that the court case is not going to cut short the medical services offered to teachers, especially those living with lifelong illnesses.” Kuria said.

Similarly, the Kenya National Union of Teachers(KNUT) has called for an amicable solution to the legal troubles.

Collins Oyuu, KNUT Secretary General, said the petition threatens the well-being of teachers and the matter needs to be addressed urgently to ensure teachers are not disadvantaged.

“All we want is a good deal for our teachers MINET (current insurer) had its own problems, such as trouble in getting a referral for advanced treatment, long wait for pre-authorisation and delayed payment of hospitals. We need all those problems addressed in the next deal, regardless of who manages the cover,” he stated.

Oyuu further maintains the union's neutral stance on the ongoing debate surrounding the previous Minet cover and the transition to the current scheme.