The Council of Governors now wants the doctors to halt the ongoing strike and resume work or face consequences.
CoG chairperson Anne Waiguru emphasized the need to obey court orders issued on March 13 and 15 which suspended the strike to facilitate negotiations.
Addressing the press on Wednesday following an extraordinary meeting, the CoG, however, refrained from assuming blanket responsibility on the matter instead urging respective counties to take action.
“We call upon the doctors who are on strike to go back to work… failure to which the respective counties which are their employers will be at liberty to take any appropriate actions,” Waiguru asserted.
The Kirinyaga governor, however, called on the doctors to accept the goodwill that has been extended to them by both the national and counties for talks.
She reiterated that negotiations can only be done at the county level.
The strike enters its 14th day today.
The doctors are demanding the implementation of a raft of promises, including a collective bargaining agreement signed in 2017.
According to the doctors, their grievances are delayed posting of interns, fair remuneration of interns, postgraduate training, employment of more doctors, and comprehensive health coverage for medics.
While outlining the measures taken to address the issues, Waiguru cited the delayed posting of interns which she said was a national government issue.
“We wish to inform the doctors and the public that all internship training centres within the county facilities are available to receive and welcome the interns once they are posted,” she stated.
On the extension of contracts for the UHC staff, the COG urged the Ministry of Health to implement the resolution of the summit as agreed during the summit held in Naivasha.
On the payment arrears, the CoG noted that they will work on it according to the CBA 2017.
She added that as the council they have discussed with the counties to ensure they put in necessary measures to avoid further delays.
