The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has issued a formal notice to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Social Health Authority (SHA), demanding urgent reforms in the management of teachers’ medical cover following repeated complaints of teachers being detained in hospitals over unsettled medical bills.
KUPPET Secretary-General Akello Misori and National Chairman Omboko Milemba addressed the media in Nairobi on February 26, 2026, where they detailed mounting grievances from members nationwide. The union leaders alleged that since the transition to the SHA scheme, many teachers have faced humiliation and hardship after seeking treatment only to be held in hospital wards when facilities demand payment that the scheme has not honoured.
“We have teachers—our members—who are literally being detained in hospitals because SHA has not cleared their bills,” Misori said. “A teacher goes to hospital sick, receives treatment, and then cannot leave because the facility says SHA has not paid. This is unacceptable and inhumane. We are putting TSC and SHA on formal notice: fix this now or face industrial action.”
Milemba echoed the sentiment and provided examples of affected members. “We have cases in Kisumu, Mombasa, Nakuru and Nairobi where teachers in their 50s and 60s have spent nights on hospital benches or been locked in wards over bills ranging from KSh 40,000 to KSh 300,000,” Milemba stated. “Some have had to borrow money from relatives or sell household items to secure release. This is not the promise we were given when SHA was rolled out. Teachers contribute diligently every month—the scheme must deliver.”
The union criticised both TSC and SHA for poor communication, delayed reimbursements and failure to honour pre-authorisation requests. KUPPET claims that some hospitals have withdrawn credit facilities for teachers because of persistent non-payment, forcing members to pay cash upfront or seek alternative facilities farther from home. The leaders also accused the scheme administrators of selective and slow processing of claims, leaving teachers vulnerable.
“TSC deducts SHA contributions from our salaries every month without fail,” Misori continued. “But when we fall sick, the same system abandons us. We demand immediate reforms: faster claim processing, clear pre-authorisation guidelines, restoration of credit facilities at major hospitals, and a transparent appeal mechanism when claims are rejected or delayed.”
KUPPET gave the two institutions 14 days to respond formally and present a clear roadmap for fixing the issues. The union warned that failure to act would trigger a series of escalating measures, including targeted protests, media campaigns and potential strike action. “We do not want to reach that point,” Milemba said. “But if teachers continue to suffer detention and humiliation, we will have no choice but to defend their dignity.”
The statement has resonated widely among teachers and their families. Several social media groups for educators have shared personal stories of hospital detention, delayed surgeries and unpaid outpatient bills, amplifying calls for urgent intervention. One teacher from Bungoma posted: “I was admitted for three days and had to pay KSh 85,000 cash because SHA had not responded. I had to borrow from a chama to leave. This is happening to many of us.”
TSC and SHA are yet to issue official responses to the notice as of February 26, 2026. However, sources within the Social Health Authority indicated that efforts are underway to clear a backlog of claims and improve hospital reimbursement timelines. A senior SHA official said: “We acknowledge the challenges and are working with hospitals and TSC to streamline processes. Teachers are valued contributors to the scheme and we are committed to ensuring they receive timely care.”
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has expressed solidarity with KUPPET and called for joint action if the issues remain unresolved. KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu said: “Medical cover is a basic entitlement. No teacher should be held hostage in a hospital bed because of administrative failures. We stand ready to support our sister union.”
The standoff highlights broader concerns about the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Fund and SHA rollout, which replaced the National Hospital Insurance Fund. Teachers, like other public servants, contribute a fixed monthly amount, but many have complained of poor service delivery, rejected claims and inadequate hospital networks.
As the 14-day notice period begins, pressure is mounting on TSC and SHA to act swiftly. Failure to address the grievances could lead to industrial unrest in the education sector at a time when the government is already facing multiple demands for improved public service conditions.
The union has urged all affected teachers to document their experiences and submit evidence to KUPPET offices or through regional officials to strengthen the case for immediate reforms.
