THE TREATMENT OF KISWAHILI IN KENYA’S EDUCATION SYSTEM

Abstract

This paper intends to evaluate the treatment of Kiswahili in the education
system in Kenya. The need for this evaluation arises from the fact that
although English and Kiswahili are co-official languages under the Official Law
Reports of the Republic of Kenya (2010)1, English seems to remain prominent in
the conduct of official communication in Kenya‟s public and private formal
discourse. The paper examines language policy documents containing
information on the place of Kiswahili in official communication within the
Republic of Kenya. Some of these documents show the status of Kiswahili
before and immediately (approximately 20 years) after independence while
others are more recent documents. The paper then assesses the
implementation of the policy documents as far as Kiswahili is concerned, noting
that the treatment of Kiswahili has not been a fair one especially when
contrasted with that of English. Possible reasons for the unfair treatment are
suggested, noting that although the treatment (of Kiswahili) has not been very
fair, Kiswahili has still developed, its use has increased and there are
significant achievements that can be identified. Other ways of elevating
Kiswahili are suggested and discussed. The paper concludes by observing that
all Kenyans need to participate in the promotion of Kiswahili if it is to continue
growing as it should as one of Kenya‟s two official languages, Kenya‟s only
national language, and a mother tongue to many Kenyans.