The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Kiambu East branch has stated that teachers will not report to work in January when schools reopen if the national treasury fails to remit their medical cover.
In a statement read by Samuel Muiruri, the Executive Secretary, it was revealed that Ksh 10 billion of the teachers’ Aon Minet Medical Insurance has not been remitted by the treasury.
“This is hindering teachers from accessing hospitals. We are demanding that the treasury release the Ksh 10 billion to enable teachers to continue accessing medical facilities,” read part of the statement.
Muiruri explained that teachers contribute to two medical covers: SHA and Minet, and they will not allow Minet to be removed because it has been very helpful to teachers.
“Aon Minet medical cover was negotiated by the teachers, the employer, and the teachers’ union, and this cannot be taken away by the government since the teachers are already paying for SHA. We are comfortable paying for both medical covers and SHA only covers the bed, whereas Minet provides comprehensive insurance for teachers based on their grade. Some are covered up to Sh 1.5 million, while others are covered for treatment abroad,” he said.
He emphasized that the issue is very sensitive and should be taken seriously. If the government does not remit the Minet medical cover funds by January, teachers will take to the streets.
“All the branches across the country are united on this issue. All the executive secretaries have informed the secretary generals that if this money is not remitted by January, then schools will not open,” he said.
Muiruri noted that Minet has been covering teachers for the last 15 years since the teachers’ medical allowance was taken over by the government.
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The teachers expressed their grievances, stating that they have been denied services at their accredited hospitals or have received substandard services, while others have been asked to pay bills out of their own pockets, forcing some to hold fundraisers to finance treatment, especially for those with terminal illnesses.
They said that they have no issue with SHA, as the deductions are already being made. They are only demanding that the government remit the Aon Minet medical cover, which has already been deducted from their payslips.
By Felix Njenga.
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