National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged the Ministry of Health to urgently address challenges teachers are facing under the new Social Health Authority (SHA) medical scheme.
Speaking when he met a delegation of teachers from Bungoma County at his home on Saturday, Wetang’ula said concerns being raised, especially those affecting access to quality healthcare, are valid and require immediate action.
Wetang’ula said the Ministry of Health Services has a responsibility to ensure the scheme works effectively for all beneficiaries. He welcomed the transition of teachers to the SHA programme
“The challenges you have presented are serious. I will meet Health Cabinet Secretary Adan Duale next week to discuss practical solutions and ensure they are resolved without delay,” he said.
“These challenges are widespread and are limiting teachers from fully benefiting from the new scheme,” he added.
MPs John Chikati (Tongaren), Martin Pepela ( Webuye West) and Bungoma Woman representative Catherine Wambilyanga were present.
The speaker appealed for patience among teachers, noting that he had taken up the matter personally to help find a lasting solution and avert a possible strike.
Wambilyanga said teachers play a key role in society and their concerns must be addressed.
“I support the teachers’ strike if the SHA challenges are not resolved,” she said.
Chikati said that Parliament would take up the matter through relevant committees to ensure action is taken.
The leaders also used the meeting to rally support for President William Ruto’s second-term bid, citing progress made in the education sector.
Teachers led by Bungoma Kuppet Executive Secretary Augustine Luketero, expressed frustration with the scheme, saying it has made access to quality healthcare more difficult.
“Despite the government’s announcement on scrapping co-payments and improving outpatient cover, teachers are still facing the same challenges when seeking medical services,” said Luketero.
They cited high out-of-pocket expenses and reduced benefits compared to previous medical schemes as key concerns.
On education, teachers led by Bungoma Kenya Secondary Schools Headteachers Association chairman Robert Nabiswa called for the urgent recruitment of more teachers to handle learners in Grade 10 and Junior Secondary School.
“We have received Grade 10 students, and it is worrying that some are not well prepared. Some cannot even write their names,” said Nabiswa.
He warned that failure to act quickly could have long-term consequences.
“If the Ministry does not address this urgently, we risk losing a generation,” he said.
Junior Secondary School teachers also renewed calls for greater autonomy, saying it would improve the implementation of the new education system.
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