The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) in Kitui has threatened to take action against hospitals that continue charging teachers for treatment despite their enrolment under the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical scheme.
Speaking after the conclusion of the two-day Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) Annual General Conference held at the Kitui Multipurpose Development and Training Centre, KNUT Kitui Branch Executive Secretary Simon Mutunga Nding’o said the union had received complaints from teachers who were being forced to pay for services that should be covered by the teachers’ medical insurance.
He warned that KNUT would not tolerate health facilities exploiting teachers through unlawful charges and vowed that the union would pursue appropriate action against institutions found violating the terms of the medical cover.
Nding’o said teachers deserve quality and accessible healthcare without being subjected to additional financial burdens whenever they seek treatment.
The union official also appealed to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to expedite the processing of pension benefits for about 300 teachers in Kitui County who are due to retire from service, saying delays in pension payments expose retirees to unnecessary financial hardship.
He further urged teachers approaching retirement to begin planning early by investing wisely, managing their finances prudently and preparing for life after active employment.
“Retirement should not come as a surprise. Teachers should make adequate financial preparations to ensure they live comfortably after leaving the service,” he said.
On discipline in schools, Nding’o reminded teachers that corporal punishment remains prohibited and cautioned them against using physical punishment on learners.
He urged teachers to embrace lawful and child-friendly disciplinary measures, noting that the use of corporal punishment contravenes children’s rights and could expose teachers to disciplinary and legal consequences.
Nding’o also called on the government to release outstanding payments owed to teachers who marked the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, saying the funds had already been provided for in the Supplementary Budget.
He said timely payment of the examination marking dues would boost teachers’ morale and demonstrate the government’s commitment to recognising the crucial role they play in the national examination process.
At the same time, the KNUT branch secretary urged principals and school boards to ensure public funds allocated to schools are utilised prudently, transparently and strictly for their intended purposes to improve learning outcomes.
Nding’o made the remarks while addressing the press after the close of the annual KESSHA conference, which brought together secondary school principals from across Kitui County to deliberate on education management, policy implementation and emerging challenges facing schools.
