Bungoma KUPPET Chairperson David Barasa addresses the press in Bungoma on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025.
By Timothy Wekesa
BUNGOMA, Kenya
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Bungoma branch has faulted the government’s decision to transfer teachers from the AON Minet medical insurance cover to the new Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme.
The union cited existing gaps and uncertainty in the system.
Speaking to the press in Bungoma on Thursday, KUPPET Bungoma Chairperson David Barasa said that while the previous AON Minet cover had its shortcomings, the rollout of SHA has created more confusion among teachers.
“AON Minet had its own problems, especially with access to medical services, but the way the SHA scheme is being introduced is causing even more confusion because teachers are not aware of how it will address past challenges,” Barasa said.
He noted that under AON Minet, teachers often faced long waiting hours for pre-authorization before receiving treatment — a challenge he fears may persist under SHA.
“It will be good if SHA addresses such setbacks so that teachers can access health care without delays,” he said.
Barasa said many teachers are left stranded in hospitals waiting for approval to receive treatment, leading to unnecessary suffering.
He acknowledged that the SHA system could improve healthcare coverage if implemented properly but emphasized the need for major restructuring to meet teachers’ needs.
He called for enhanced coverage, increased funding, and access to quality healthcare, including private hospitals.
“Every time teachers go to hospitals, they are told they’ve reached their daily limit. This is unfair to hardworking professionals who contribute to the scheme. The government must ensure the new SHA system offers comprehensive and reliable coverage,” he said.
Barasa also urged the adoption of cashless transactions through the issuance of smart cards to make healthcare access more efficient and transparent.
“We want a system where a teacher walks into a hospital, swipes their card and gets treated without unnecessary bureaucracy,” he said.
The Bungoma KUPPET chair further criticized the union’s national leadership, led by Secretary-General Okello Misori, for supporting the government’s move without consulting teachers who have unique health conditions.
“SHA does not cater for outpatient services, medical checkups or specialized treatment. These areas must be addressed before transferring teachers to the scheme,” Barasa said.
He also accused national officials of advocating for a system they have not personally adopted.
“If the national office believes SHA is the best option, they should be the first to enroll under it. As it stands, they are covered by Britam and other private insurers, which shows a lack of confidence in the new system,” he added.
Barasa announced his intention to contest for the Bungoma Executive Secretary position in the upcoming KUPPET elections scheduled for February 2026.
“Our teachers deserve leaders who listen to them and fight for their welfare. My vision is to strengthen the union, ensure members’ concerns are addressed and restore confidence in our leadership,” he said.
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