"We're Not Afraid Of You & You Can't Threaten Us" Furious Lecturers Warn Government Over Strike

University lecturers across Kenya have issued a strong warning to the government as their strike continues to disrupt learning in higher institutions.

Speaking during a meeting with their union officials, the lecturers said they will not be intimidated into abandoning their industrial action.

The strike began after lecturers accused the government of failing to honor the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). 

According to them, the deal promised better pay, improved working conditions, and timely remittance of allowances.

They now say the government has ignored their pleas, forcing them to down their tools.

Union leaders said the strike is not just about money but also about respect for the teaching profession.

“You cannot scare us. We are warriors, and we are used to tough battles.

We will not return to class until our issues are addressed,” one lecturer declared.

The words captured the mood of frustration and determination among university staff.

The lecturers argue that their salaries have remained stagnant while the cost of living has gone up sharply.

They say inflation has made life harder for them and their families, yet the government has been slow to act.

Some of them warned that if the strike is prolonged, it could affect exam schedules, research programs, and graduation ceremonies.

Students have been left stranded, with many uncertain about when normal learning will resume.

Some have appealed to both sides to reach a quick solution, saying they are the ones suffering most.

“We came to study, but now we are just waiting. Our parents are also worried,” said a student at the University of Nairobi.

The government has called for dialogue and urged lecturers to return to class as negotiations continue.

However, union officials insist that words alone are not enough.

They want written agreements and immediate action to implement the CBA.

Education analysts warn that prolonged strikes damage the quality of higher education in Kenya and may push some students to seek studies abroad.