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 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 with the doctors demanding the implementation of a raft of promises, including a collective bargaining agreement signed in 2017.
Their grievances are delayed posting of interns, fair remuneration of interns, postgraduate training, employment of more doctors and comprehensive health coverage for medics.
Outlining the measures taken to address the issues, Waiguru cited the delayed posting of interns which she noted 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.
While explaining about the disciplinary processes against the medics, the county boss affirmed that action would be taken against those who absconded from duties.
"It is important to note that desertion of duty is a disciplinary issue and not a unionisable issue to warrant a nationwide strike," she explained.
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.
About the payment arrears for basic salaries, the CoG clarified that the CBA signed was not funded to implement the proposed salaries.
She, however, noted that as the council they have discussed with the counties to ensure the medics are adequately remunerated.
On failure to provide medical insurance to union members, the CoG pointed out that this is done depending on the county's ability and that it has been progressively achieved.
Most counties, it noted, are currently providing the scheme to its medics.
During the briefing, Waiguru also addressed the concern about the failure of counties to release doctors for post-graduate training.
According to the governor, there are 890 doctors that have so far been released.
"This demonstrates willingness and compliance by the counties to release doctors to further their training," she stated.
