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Kiswahili continues to face a challenge as English becomes premier.[iStockphoto]
Last week, the world marked World Kiswahili Language Day on July 7, providing an opportunity to reflect on how Kenya’s education system has shaped attitudes towards Kiswahili and the challenges the language continues to face.
Despite being one of Kenya’s official languages and a language that unites millions across East and Central Africa, Kiswahili has for decades been treated as less prestigious than English.
In many schools, students have been encouraged to communicate in English, while speaking Kiswahili has at times been viewed as a punishable offence. This contradiction has had lasting effects on how generations perceive and use the language.
