Author: Hezron Rooy

Ministry of Education Directs Parents to Register Children Under SHIF Before School Reopens: How to Register. As schools in Kenya prepare to reopen in just four days, parents are now facing an urgent directive to register their children under the newly established Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) before Monday, August 26. The Kenyan government had given parents only 10 days to comply with the new SHIF registration requirement for their children. According to an internal memo, Belio Kipsang, the Principal Secretary for Basic Education, mandated that all school-going children be registered as dependents of their parents before the new school…

Schools’ Reopening at Risk as Teachers’ Unions and TSC Clash Over Demands Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos has acknowledged that the Ministry of Education is currently grappling with a severe shortage of funds, hindering its ability to meet the various demands within the sector. Migos has urged teachers’ unions to engage in dialogue and reconsider their planned strike. Despite Migos’ plea, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) remain steadfast in their decision to proceed with the strike scheduled to begin on Monday. The unions are protesting the Teachers Service…

Chinese Scholarships Send 65 Kenyan Students to Beijing for Advanced Studies This week, 19 Kenyan students will depart to continue their studies at various universities in China, bringing the total number of Kenyans who have benefited from scholarships this year to 65. Already, 46 beneficiaries are currently in China, as disclosed by Zhang Zhizhong, the Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya. Higher Education Principal Secretary, Beatrice Inyangala, led a farewell ceremony for the 2024 cohort of scholarship beneficiaries. She expressed the government’s gratitude towards China for its ongoing support in educating Kenyan students through scholarships. Inyangala emphasized the…

Deputy Headteacher Charged with Sodomising 10 Pupils Freed on Sh300,000 Bond A 51-year-old teacher has been charged at Malaba Law Court with allegedly sodomizing ten primary school pupils on separate occasions in 2023. The suspect, who appeared before Resident Magistrate Zawadi Ogange, denied all of the claims and was released on Sh300,000 bond. The accused also faced a charge of displaying pornographic materials to minors aged 14 to 17. The accused is accused of engaging in indecent activities while working as the deputy head teacher at a school in Teso North Sub-county. Follow Teachers Updates Page On Facebook The prosecution’s…

MPs Urge Kenyans to Oppose NG-CDF Abolition, Says it Supports Education Bursaries Members of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Committee have urged Kenyans to safeguard the fund to ensure ongoing grassroots development, amid proposals to abolish it. Committee chairperson Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine) emphasized that the fund has been instrumental in supporting many underprivileged households by paying school fees and improving essential learning infrastructure across the nation. He spoke on this issue during the disbursement of NG-CDF bursaries to needy students in Dagoretti-North Constituency, Nairobi. Sirma pointed out that the fund’s contributions to upgrading educational facilities are evident…

Parents Criticize New University and College Funding Scheme Parents are increasingly unhappy with the new tuition loan and scholarship funding model introduced by the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB). This model categorizes university and college students into various funding bands based on factors such as economic background and socio-demographic conditions, aiming to allocate financial aid more effectively according to the level of need. Concerns Over Band Placement Samuel Odhiambo, a parent from Migori County, expressed frustration with the system. He claimed that despite following the proper procedures and accurately reporting his family’s income, his child was placed in an unexpected…

University Student Announce Protest Against New Funding Model Amid growing discontent with the new university funding model, students are organizing to voice their dissatisfaction with the policy implemented by the Kenya Kwanza administration. The University of Nairobi’s Student Council, in a notice dated August 16, announced plans to mobilize students for a demonstration on September 2. The focus of the protest is the recent hike in tuition and accommodation fees under the new funding model. The Student Council emphasized the need for a united front, urging all students to participate in the demonstration to express their concerns. Student Demands The…

How to Register for Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) in Kenya The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) is a public health insurance program established by the Kenyan government to enhance access to affordable and quality healthcare services for citizens. Launched on March 1, 2024, it aims to replace the existing National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) with broader healthcare coverage for all Kenyan citizens. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the registration process, ensuring that all citizens can benefit from SHIF’s numerous advantages. Understanding the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) SHIF is designed to improve healthcare accessibility for Kenyans by…

Transition from NHIF to SHIF: Registration Requirements The Ministry of Health is replacing the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) with the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). This new scheme aims to expand healthcare coverage and reduce costs for all Kenyans. Under SHIF, employed Kenyans will contribute 2.75% of their monthly salaries, with a minimum contribution of Ksh.300. This differs from the NHIF’s structure, where employees paid between Ksh.150 and Ksh.1,700, and self-employed individuals paid Ksh.500. Follow Teachers Updates On X SHIF Registration Requirements All current NHIF members will need to re-register for SHIF. Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha stated that…

KUSNET Ask Teachers to Report to School on Monday as KNUT, KUPPET Push for Strike The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) recently held a crucial meeting with the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) in a final attempt to prevent a nationwide teachers’ strike scheduled to begin on August 26th, just days before the new school term. Despite the meeting, the situation remains unresolved, leaving teachers uncertain about the start of the term. Leaders from KNUT and KUPPET were visibly frustrated as they left the meeting, expressing their dissatisfaction with the…