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Kenyan teachers are preparing to go on strike in January 2025 if the government does not release Ksh10 billion for their medical insurance coverage. 

This comes after the government failed to renew the insurance cover, which had been regularly updated each November in previous years.

Samuel Muiruri, the Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Kiambu branch, expressed his frustration over the government's lack of action. 

He pointed out that despite deductions from teachers’ salaries for the medical scheme, many teachers have been denied health services because the cover was not renewed. 

This has left several teachers without the medical assistance they pay for every month.

“This is money that was deducted from teachers’ payslips, and the cover was negotiated between the employer and the teachers' union. 

The government has already failed to renew it, which is causing serious inconvenience to teachers,” Muiruri said. 

He also noted that teachers are already paying for other health insurance schemes, including contributions to the Social Health Authority.

The strike threat comes as teachers prepare for the reopening of schools on January 6, 2025. 

Muiruri made it clear that unless the government releases the necessary funds to cover the insurance, teachers will not return to work. 

He further emphasized that KNUT has already communicated the plan to all branches across the country, making it clear that demonstrations are also on the table if the issue is not resolved.

This situation is reminiscent of the recent strike by university lecturers, which lasted for over two months, from September to November 2024. 

That strike was only resolved when the government agreed to honor a Collective Bargaining Agreement worth Ksh9.76 billion for the period 2021-2025.

As the government faces mounting pressure from teachers, it is now clear that the issue of medical insurance coverage for educators is becoming a critical matter. 

With the strike notice already issued, both parents and students are anxiously awaiting the outcome, knowing that the future of the school year could be at risk.

Teachers' demands are simple: the government must honor its commitments and ensure that their medical insurance is renewed and fully funded.