In the event that the government does not release Ksh10 billion intended for their health insurance, teachers have vowed to go on strike in January.
Samuel Muiruri, secretary general of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Kiambu chapter, voiced his displeasure with the government for not renewing the insurance.
Previously, the medical insurance coverage was renewed in November, but this year, he said, that was not the case.
According to Muiruri, many teachers were inconvenienced by the government’s refusal to renew their insurance because some of them were refused health care even if their deductions were made.
While calling on the government’s intervention, the KNUT official stated that teachers would not resume schools next month unless the government heed their demand.
“This is money that was deducted from teachers’ payslips and the cover was negotiated between the employer and the teachers union. Already we are paying the Social Health Authority cover, we pay for two health insurance schemes,” Muiruri stated.
This issue is very sensitive and must be taken very seriously, if the money is not remitted by January then the teachers will go to the streets,” he added.
He further revealed that the notice about the forthcoming demonstrations to demand medical cover had already been communicated to all the KNUT branches across the country.
The announcement comes even as parents and students continue to prepare for the school reopening which has been scheduled for January 6, 2025.
This follows the recent lecturer’s strike which paralysed learning activities across public universities in the country for more than two months since September.
However, the lecturers’ strike came to an end in November after the government promised to fulfil the 2021-2025 Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA), valued at Ksh9.76 billion.
This means that if the teacher’s demands are not met, they will proceed on strike. This will Paralyze learning in all schools which will prompt the government to postpone reopening dates