By KPC Reporter
A new study has revealed that many Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) in Kenya are reluctant to use Kiswahili during official proceedings.
This is despite constitutional recognition of the language, due to negative perceptions, fear of ridicule, and linguistic insecurity.
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The research, titled “Use of Kiswahili Language in Kenyan Legislature and its Impact in Promoting Good Governance: A Case of Nyamira County Assembly,” was conducted by Dr. Mercy Moraa and Dr. Boniface Ngugi.
It highlights what the authors term a “negative attitude” among some legislators, particularly within the Nyamira County Assembly, toward using Kiswahili in plenary debates.
“For some members, Kiswahili is viewed as a language for casual or community-level conversation, not for serious parliamentary discourse,” noted Dr. Moraa.
She added that social anxiety, fear of making mistakes, and concerns about being judged for poor fluency further discourage its use.
One MCA quoted in the study admitted, “Some participants fear using Kiswahili because they feel they do not know it fluently and fear being ridiculed.”
This reluctance persists despite official rules that allow the use of Kiswahili, English, or Kenyan Sign Language in county assemblies.
Barriers and how to fix them
Nyamira’s Standing Order No. 75 (2), for instance, mandates that members must stick to the same language throughout their contributions, a rule many MCAs find restrictive especially those more comfortable code-switching between English and Kiswahili.
To address these barriers, the study proposes several reforms including establishment of a Kiswahili Language Task Force within county assemblies, and designating a specific day each week for conducting debates in Kiswahili.
It also proposes translation of assembly Standing Orders into Kiswahili to normalize its usage in official business.
Dr. Moraa emphasized that the research aimed to explore how the use of Kiswahili in legislatures can enhance governance by improving communication and accessibility.
“Governance involves the creation and implementation of policies that affect people’s lives,” she said.
“It is most effective when conducted in a language that citizens understand clearly.”
Although English has historically dominated Kenya’s legislative discourse, Kiswahili was officially introduced into Parliament by a directive from President Jomo Kenyatta in 1965, recognizing its unifying role among East Africans.
The study, which was presented at the 2025 Hansard Association of Kenya Annual Conference in Mombasa, draws from the argumentative theory of governance, underscoring the importance of language in shaping, delivering, and legitimizing policy.
Dr. Moraa concluded: “Effective governance is dependent on accurate and accessible language use to communicate laws, policies, and expectations to the people.”
