The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has challenged the government to come clean on the medical benefits teachers will enjoy under the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking during a meeting at Moi Gardens in Kericho, KUPPET Executive Secretary for Kericho Branch, Mary Rotich, said the union needs transparency before supporting the transition. She demanded clarity on whether teachers would have access to services such as dental care, optometry, overseas medical evacuation, and admission to private hospital wings.
“As we are being taken to SHA, our big question is, what is the package for dental? What is the package for optometry? What about overseas evacuation? What is the fate of teachers? Are we going to be admitted to private wings? If it is a good package for teachers, we are on board, but if it is not, then we are out,” Rotich stated.
KUPPET also pushed for the inclusion of private hospitals in the SHA framework. The union argued that confining services to public health facilities would disadvantage teachers, who often rely on private institutions for specialized care.
Beyond health concerns, KUPPET raised new demands regarding the Junior Secondary School (JSS) program. The union urged the government to make JSS autonomous, pointing out that primary schools lack adequate infrastructure to host the new level effectively.
Additionally, the union called for confirmation of the 20,000 JSS teachers currently employed on contract terms and demanded that intern teachers be absorbed into permanent and pensionable positions.
KUPPET emphasized that unless the government addresses these concerns, it would be difficult for teachers to fully support the SHA rollout and ongoing education reforms.
