The Elimu Bora Working Group has called for the reinstatement of Edu Afya, a medical scheme formed during the era of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Speaking on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the lobby group argued that the return of the scheme is urgent amid what it described as a worrying rise in student deaths in schools.
The stakeholders said recent tragedies in several learning institutions have exposed serious gaps in emergency response, supervision, and enforcement of safety standards.
“The Elimu Bora Working Group is demanding the immediate reinstatement of the EduAfya medical insurance scheme for all learners, citing what it describes as a troubling rise in preventable student deaths,” the group stated.
Members of the lobby group said lessons have not been learnt despite past incidents that highlighted safety weaknesses.
“Even after the tragic fire at Endarasha in 2024, which exposed serious failures in compliance and oversight, it is evident that lessons were not learnt,” said Elimu Bora Working Group member Griffin Ombogo.
The group cited seven recent cases they believe could have been prevented with proper medical preparedness and oversight.
“Every boarding institution must have a nurse and regularly a clinical officer and a medic where circumstances call for, but unfortunately, it only happens in C1 schools,” said member Boaz Ruku.
They further called for independent and transparent investigations into recent student deaths, insisting that accountability must follow where negligence is established.
SHA cover termed inadequate
The stakeholders argued that relying solely on the Social Health Authority cover for learners is insufficient, particularly in emergency situations.
“The government was taking up the cost of medical attention for these learners to a point where if they required transfer, airlifting or an ambulance.
“So we are saying SHA has failed to take up this responsibility because there are parents who are not even in SHA,” another member, David Karani, said.
Boaz added, “Those learners used to benefit greatly, and the facilities did not fear handling them because they knew they would be paid, but when EduAfya was removed, this is where the situation is becoming more difficult.”
The group is also pushing for mandatory continuous training for teachers and school heads in first aid, emergency response, and crisis management.
Additionally, they want the establishment of an Education Standards and Quality Assurance Council to enforce compliance and safety regulations in schools.
