The recent spotlight on the KSh 104 billion SHIF tender has opened up deeper revelations about massive financial irregularities involving Jayesh and Adil Khawaja, key figures behind companies such as Minet, MAKL, and Pioneer.
Over the past decade, these companies have allegedly misappropriated a staggering KSh 150 billion through dubious contracts with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
This comes amid growing frustration from teachers across Kenya, who continue to face difficulties in accessing adequate medical services, often resorting to paying medical bills out of pocket despite being part of a medical cover scheme.
The TSC medical cover, primarily managed by Minet Kenya Insurance Brokers, has been mired in controversy.
Teachers have long raised concerns about the inadequacies of the scheme, particularly when it comes to accessing healthcare services.
Reports have surfaced detailing how teachers are forced to navigate endless hurdles to receive basic medical care.
Despite TSC’s claims of improvements, including increased coverage and better access to healthcare providers, the reality for many teachers tells a different story.
Cases of teachers having to foot large portions of their medical expenses have been reported, which begs the question: where is the money going?
A look into the medical cover contract reveals that in 2022, Minet was awarded a KSh 53.58 billion contract to manage the healthcare needs of TSC staff for three years.
Despite the vast sums of money allocated to this program, the services offered have been widely criticized as inadequate.
Teachers have reported delays in referrals, limited access to medical specialists, and a lack of transparency in how funds are used.
This has sparked concerns that a portion of the funds meant to support teachers’ health may be misused.
The allegations against Jayesh and Adil Khawaja suggest that these problems are part of a larger systemic issue.
Over the past ten years, their companies are accused of having illicitly allocated KSh 150 billion through their contracts with the TSC.
The exact mechanisms behind this alleged misappropriation are still unclear, but reports suggest that a major portion of the funds earmarked for teachers’ welfare has been diverted into the pockets of a few individuals.
This revelation has reignited calls for accountability within the TSC and for greater scrutiny of how contracts with external companies, such as Minet, are awarded and managed.
Critics argue that the money allocated to the TSC’s medical cover should be enough to ensure teachers receive quality healthcare.
Yet, many educators remain frustrated, and there’s growing pressure on both the TSC and the Ministry of Education to address these issues.
The allegations against the Khawajas and their companies poses the need for a comprehensive audit of the TSC’s medical cover system.
Teachers, the backbone of Kenya’s education system, deserve better than to be left struggling to pay for medical services while billions are being siphoned off through corrupt deals.
There are high expectations that reforms will be put in place to safeguard the welfare of the nation’s teachers.
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