Teachers Threaten Nationwide Strike, Here’s Why

Teachers across Kenya, through their union, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), have issued a stern ultimatum to the government, announcing plans for a nationwide strike beginning on March 3, 2025, should their grievances remain unaddressed.

The decision comes as frustrations mount over the government’s alleged failure to resolve the persistent healthcare crisis affecting teachers.

Addressing the press on Wednesday, February 26, KUPPET officials from Kisii County openly criticized the government for neglecting teachers’ welfare, particularly concerning medical insurance.

Led by KUPPET Kisii Branch Chairperson Laban Ooko, the officials lamented that thousands of teachers were struggling to access medical treatment at various hospitals due to inconsistencies in their health insurance scheme.

According to Ooko, numerous teachers have found themselves unable to receive crucial medical services as hospitals across the country turn them away due to unpaid insurance claims. This situation, he noted, has placed teachers in distress, making it nearly impossible for them to effectively discharge their duties.

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Ooko expressed the teachers’ frustration, emphasizing that their demand was not just about personal benefits but about ensuring that professionals who dedicate their lives to educating the nation receive dignified healthcare.

“The government should be disbursing about Ksh30 billion to cater for the health insurance of all teachers and police officers. As teachers of Kenya, we are putting the government on notice,” declared Ooko.

He further warned that if the government fails to act within the coming week, all teachers across the country would be mobilized to cease teaching activities in protest. Parents were advised not to send their children to school as teachers would not be available to offer lessons.

In a show of solidarity, the KUPPET Chairperson extended an invitation to police officers, urging them to join teachers in demanding a proper and functional health insurance scheme. He noted that police officers, like teachers, were also affected by the failing system and deserved to have their medical needs addressed.

“This is not just about teachers; it’s about all public servants who rely on the government for medical support. If the police officers, who risk their lives daily for this nation, are experiencing similar challenges, then it is time for us to unite in this struggle,” Ooko said.

Ooko took the opportunity to clarify that the upcoming demonstrations were not about pushing for salary increments but solely about demanding access to healthcare.

He condemned the government for withholding funds meant for workers’ medical needs and called out the Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) for suspending essential services due to non-payment of health insurance claims.

“It is shameful that the government has withheld money meant for workers’ healthcare. It is equally shameful that RUPHA has suspended services affecting Kenyans because the government has declined to release funds. As KUPPET, we represent teachers in this country, and we shall be calling for a special strike—not to push for salary increments, but to demand the safeguarding of Kenyans’ healthcare,” he reiterated.

The teachers’ ultimatum follows a recent move by RUPHA, which represents private hospitals, including faith-based health facilities, to suspend services in all private hospitals nationwide.

The association cited the government’s failure to settle a backlog of pending health insurance claims amounting to Ksh30 billion, making it impossible for hospitals to continue providing services.

This suspension has left thousands of public servants, including teachers and police officers, stranded without medical care, escalating frustrations among those reliant on the insurance scheme.

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