TSC Moves to Avert Teachers’ Strike as Govt Revises SHA Scheme

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has reached an agreement with unions and health officials over the Mwalimu Medical Scheme under the Social Health Authority (SHA), addressing concerns that had prompted threats of a teachers’ strike.

Under the new arrangement, teachers will no longer be required to make co-payments when seeking treatment at SHA-accredited health facilities, an issue that had drawn widespread complaints.

The agreement was reached during a consultative meeting held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Sarova Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa.

The meeting brought together TSC officials, representatives from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), and SHA officials led by CEO Dr Mercy Mwangangi.

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Unions had threatened industrial action over challenges in accessing medical services, including out-of-pocket payments, delayed approvals, lack of essential drugs, and delays in remittances to health facilities.

TSC Acting CEO Evaleen Mitei emphasised that teachers must receive quality healthcare, directing that all accredited facilities be adequately staffed and stocked with necessary drugs.

She further urged hospitals to continue serving teachers even in cases of delayed payments to avoid inconveniencing patients.

SHA CEO Dr Mwangangi confirmed that all issues raised by teachers in recent weeks had been addressed.

She warned that any facility found charging teachers additional fees would be removed from the scheme.

“We have agreed on tariffs with providers to ensure that a teacher walks in and walks out without co-payment,” she said.

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Union leaders welcomed the move, saying it will ease the financial burden on teachers. KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu noted that many teachers had been forced to dig into their pockets despite being under a comprehensive medical cover.

“We have cases of teachers paying. Much as we have a comprehensive cover, teachers still pay service providers. We have agreed with SHA that this must stop,” Oyuu said.

KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori also indicated that outpatient capitation would be reviewed upwards to address funding gaps that had affected service delivery.

Key Resolutions of the Meeting

The meeting resolved several additional measures aimed at improving the scheme. These include:

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Completion of overseas treatment processes, with the first beneficiary scheduled to travel to India on April 22, 2026
Commencement of last expense payments from April 15, 2026.
Finalisation of a legal framework for ex gratia payments.
Provision of three-month drug supplies for teachers with chronic illnesses.
Introduction of IVF services at Nairobi West Hospital.
Review of outpatient tariffs within two weeks.
Publication of payments to service providers on the TSC and SHA websites to enhance transparency.
Establishment of dedicated TSC desks in hospitals to support teachers.
Formation of a joint technical committee to report within 21 days.
Creation of County Management Committees to address emerging issues.

KNUT officials warned that any facility that turns away teachers will be removed from the list of approved providers.

The meeting concluded that most of the issues that had caused tension between teachers and their employer, and threatened the reopening of schools for the second term on April 27, 2026, had been resolved.

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