Teachers Threaten Nationwide Strike Over Medical Scheme and Staff Shortage
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has issued a strong warning of a nationwide strike at the start of the second school term if the government fails to address serious problems with the teachers’ medical cover and the ongoing shortage of teaching staff.
Union officials say the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme, which began in December 2025, has not worked well for teachers, leaving many unable to access proper healthcare.
In Bungoma County, for example, teachers report that only three hospitals are currently accepting patients under the scheme, causing long delays and frustration. KUPPET leaders, including Bungoma representative Ferdinand Wamalwa, have given the government the upcoming school holiday to fix the issues. They have threatened to direct students to stay home and shut down schools completely if no meaningful action is taken.
The union is also concerned about the heavy workload on teachers caused by the failure of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to recruit enough new staff. KUPPET is demanding quick solutions to both the medical scheme problems and the staffing crisis to avoid disrupting learning when schools reopen for the second term. The strike threat highlights growing dissatisfaction among teachers with how their welfare is being handled under the new health arrangements.
