Languages in Kenya

Languages in Kenya

By Matthys van Aswegen

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More than 60 different languages are indigenous to Kenya. The official languages are English, which is widely spoken to a high standard in the tourist industry, and KiSwahili. This East African lingua franca originates from the coast and spread inland along trade routes in the early 19th century.

Other major languages include Kikuyu, Luo, Akamba, and Maa. Most languages spoken locally belong to two broad languages: Niger-Congo and Nilo-Saharan, spoken by the country’s Bantu and Nilotic populations, respectively. The Cushitic and Arab ethnic minorities speak languages belonging to the separate Afroasiatic family, with the Hindustani and British residents speaking languages from the Indo-European family.

Kenya’s various ethnic groups speak their mother tongues within their communities. The two official languages are used with varying degrees of fluency for communication with other populations.
English is widely spoken in commerce, schooling, and government. Peri-urban and rural dwellers are less multilingual, with many in rural areas speaking only their native languages.

Official Languages of Kenya

Kenya is a culturally rich country with over 60 languages spoken. The official languages are English and Kiswahili, used widely in commerce, education, and government. Learn to say hello, goodbye and even a few common phrases with us.

Kiswahili:

The national language and lingua franca of East Africa.

• Greeting: “Hujambo” (hoo-JAHM-boh) – Hello
• Goodbye: “Kwaheri” (kwah-HEH-ree) – Goodbye
• Common Phrases:
• “Asante” (ah-SAHN-teh) – Thank you
• “Tafadhali” (tah-fah-DHA-lee) – Please
• “Samahani” (sah-mah-HAH-nee) – Excuse me/Sorry
• “Jina lako nani?” (JEE-nah LAH-koh NAH-nee) – What is your name?
• “Habari gani?” (hah-BAH-ree GAH-nee) – How are you?
• “Sawa sawa” (Sah-wa Sah-wa) – Okay or All good!

Kikuyu:

Spoken by the Kikuyu people, the largest ethnic group in Kenya.

• Greeting: “Wi mwega” (wee m-WEH-gah) – Hello
• Goodbye: “Naki ngwendete” (nah-KEE ng-wen-DEH-teh) – Goodbye
• Common Phrases:
• “Niwega” (nee-WEH-gah) – Thank you
• “Ndiaga” (n-DEE-ah-gah) – Please
• “Wina wira?” (WEE-nah WEE-rah) – How are you?
• “Thenge itagwo?” (THEN-geh ee-TAH-gwoh) – What is your name?
• “Nake?” (NAH-keh) – Excuse me

Luo:

Spoken by the Luo people, mainly around Lake Victoria.

• Greeting: “Nya’tho” (nyah-THOH) – Hello
• Goodbye: “Odhi maber” (OH-dhee mah-BER) – Go well
• Common Phrases:
• “Erokamano” (eh-roh-kah-MAH-noh) – Thank you
• “Kwayoni” (kwah-YOH-nee) – Please
• “Ang’o?” (AHNG-oh) – What?
• “Nyingi ng’a?” (NYING-ghee ng-AH) – What is your name?
• “Ber ahinya” (BER ah-HEE-n-yah) – Very good

Akamba:

Spoken by the Kamba people, primarily in the eastern region.

• Greeting: “Wìkàla” (WEE-kah-lah) – Hello
• Goodbye: “Koma na kwìkàla” (KOH-mah nah KWEE-kah-lah) – Goodbye
• Common Phrases:
• “Nìngìyíe” (nee-NGEE-yee-eh) – Please
• “Twààsìsìa” (TWAAH-see-see-ah) – Thank you
• “Nìkwata” (nee-KWAH-tah) – Hold on
• “Àtũ nĩkĩ?” (ah-TOO nee-KEE) – How are you?
• “Nĩkũĩta” (nee-KWEE-tah) – Excuse me

Maa (Maasai):

Spoken by the Maasai people, renowned for their distinct culture.

• Greeting: “Supa” (SOO-pah) – Hello
• Goodbye: “Orkuma” (or-KOO-mah) – Goodbye
• Common Phrases:
• “Ashe oleng” (ah-SHEH oh-LENG) – Thank you
• “Kashana” (kah-SHAH-nah) – Please
• “Baku” (BAH-koo) – Sorry
• “Sidai?” (SEE-dah-ee) – How are you?
• “Ning’ai” (ning-AH-ee) – What is your name?

English:

Widely used in urban areas and the official business language.

• Greeting: “Hello” (heh-LOH) – Hello
• Goodbye: “Goodbye” (good-BYE) – Goodbye
• Common Phrases:
• “Thank you” (THANGK yoo) – Thank you
• “Please” (pleez) – Please
• “How are you?” (how ar yoo) – How are you?
• “Excuse me” (ehks-KYOOZ mee) – Excuse me
• “What’s your name?” (wots yor naym) – What is your name?

Embracing the local languages can significantly enhance your Kenya safari experience. Learning and using phrases like “Hujambo” and “Asante” not only enriches your interactions but also shows respect for the culture.

As you traverse the stunning landscapes, from the Maasai Mara to the shores of Lake Victoria, surprising your guide with a few local words can create memorable connections and deeper cultural insights.