Doctors in Mombasa have vowed not to go back to work until their demands are met.
They said they will not be intimidated by government threats.
This came a day after the Council of Governors told the doctors to halt their strike and resume work or face consequences.
KMPDU Coast region branch secretary general Ghalib Salim said if governors want them back to work, they should first meet all their demands.
He spoke during a peaceful demonstration in Mombasa as the national strike entered day 15.
“The governors took an oath to safeguard the lives and the people of this country. They cannot tell us to go in each and every county to have different CBA signed, yet we have one which is legal and was signed in 2017-21,” Salim said.
"This is the time for all doctors in this nation to stand in solidarity and dignity to avoid the slavery of whatever is going on right now."
Among the issues raised by doctors is posting of interns.
The unionist said this is infringing the 2017-21 CBA because interns are supposed to be posted 30 days after graduation.
He said interns have been without jobs for eight months.
The doctors also demanded promotions, which Salim said cuts across the counties.
In the Coast, Salim said there are consultants still in Job Group N, receiving the same salaries as normal doctors.
He said there are those consultants who have done even fellowship but they are still in Job Group M, “this is a real shame for these county governments”.
“We have something called the scheme of services. It is a 2016 document, which says a government officer has the job progression in terms of job groups,” Salim said.
He said Lamu county has not had a gynaecologist for the last one year and four months.
Salim said lack of doctors to help pregnant women might lead to loss of lives of mothers and their babies.
He said whatever they are fighting is a big thing because every governor is also doing what suits them.
Salim said they have a CBA plan, which was signed by the national and county governments, yet doctors are being treated differently in terms of promotions, study leave and medical cover.
