KNUT Leaders in Uasin Gishu Demand Urgent SHA Reforms, Threaten Action Over Health Crisis

By Wasike Elvis 

Teachers under the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) in Uasin Gishu County have raised serious concerns over the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical cover, warning of possible industrial action if urgent reforms are not made.

The concerns were raised during a consultative meeting held in Eldoret involving KNUT officials, SHA coordinators, and healthcare service providers. The meeting focused on challenges experienced since the transition from the former Minet insurance scheme to SHA.

The union attributed the position to three key officials: John Kipkoech, Chepkoilel KNUT Branch Executive Secretary; Simon Tuei, Wareng KNUT Executive Secretary; and Cornelius Kigin, Deputy Executive Secretary of Eldoret West KNUT Branch.

System Failures and Delayed Treatment

According to the KNUT officials, teachers have been experiencing long delays in hospitals due to system failures, centralized approvals, and network disruptions affecting SHA operations.

John Kipkoech said the union had identified the digital authorization system as a major bottleneck.

“The biggest challenge is the system handling approvals. Teachers are spending hours waiting, sometimes three to four hours, before being attended to,” he said.

The union called for decentralization of SHA services to the county level to improve efficiency and reduce delays in treatment.

Concerns Over Payment and Hidden Costs

Simon Tuei raised concerns that some medical facilities were unlawfully charging teachers consultation fees despite SHA coverage agreements.

“Teachers are being asked to pay doctor’s fees in some facilities, which is unacceptable. Our members should not incur any additional costs,” he said.

He warned teachers against making any payments and urged them to report such cases immediately to union leadership.

Hospital Congestion and Limited Facility Coverage

Cornelius Kigin highlighted congestion in accredited hospitals, saying the limited number of service providers was straining the system.

He proposed expanding the SHA network to include additional facilities such as St. Luke’s and Andorrat hospitals to ease pressure on existing providers.

“We are asking SHA to extend services to more hospitals so that teachers are not forced to queue for long hours,” he said.

Dental, Maternity, and Coverage Inequalities

The KNUT officials also criticized gaps in specialized healthcare coverage, particularly dental and maternity services.

They argued that current dental benefits focus only on tooth extraction without replacement, a situation they said affects teachers’ speech and classroom performance.

“A teacher’s dental health is not cosmetic—it directly affects communication, especially in languages like English and Kiswahili,” Kipkoech noted.

On maternity services, the officials questioned disparities in capitation, where older teachers reportedly receive higher allocations compared to younger teachers who frequently require maternity care.

The union said the structure should be reviewed to reflect actual medical needs rather than age categories.

Dependents and Cultural Concerns

The leaders further raised concerns over restrictions on dependents, noting that SHA currently limits coverage to one spouse and up to five children.

They argued that this does not reflect Kenya’s diverse social and religious realities, including communities where polygamy is recognized.

“If a child or spouse is legally recognized, they should be covered under the medical scheme,” Simon Tuei said.

Specialized Treatment and IVF Access

The union also highlighted the lack of specialized services such as IVF within the region, forcing teachers to travel to Nairobi for treatment, increasing financial strain.

They urged SHA to accredit more facilities in Eldoret, noting the town’s growing status as a regional health hub.

Teachers Warn of Industrial Action

The KNUT officials warned that unless the issues are addressed urgently, teachers may resort to demonstrations.

They issued a deadline extending to the beginning of the new school term, cautioning that unresolved issues could disrupt education operations.

“If these challenges are not addressed by Monday when schools reopen, we will mobilize our members for action,” the leaders warned.

Call for Government Intervention

The union called on the Ministry of Health and the government to intervene and ensure SHA delivers on its promise of accessible and efficient healthcare for teachers.

They emphasized that teachers’ welfare is directly tied to the quality of education in the country.

“A healthy teacher is a productive teacher. The system must work for those who educate the nation’s children,” John Koech said.

The KNUT leadership reaffirmed that they remain open to dialogue but insisted that concrete action must follow the discussions to prevent further disruption.