Kiswahili has recorded the highest number of student enrolments among language courses offered in public universities, according to the National Chairman for the subject, Fred Simiyu.
Marking the World Kiswahili Day at Kisii university in the outskirts of Kisii town yesterday, the chairman said that it was due to the Kiswahili language’s influence that it had acquired the national language status and was used to create public awareness.
Simuyu explained that Kiswahili borrowed a lot from local languages, some that were at the developing stage.
Regular use of the language, he added, helped to perfect it, challenging legislators to craft bills in Kiswahili.
East Africa Kiswahili chairman, Dr. Juliet Njagero, described the language as easier to learn and effective in its application, thus occupying a special place in the country’s education curriculum.
On his part, Kisii University vice chancellor, Prof. Nathan Ogechi, denied claims Kiswahili was slowly dying because of its infiltration by other languages.
According to Ogechi, where the language was used in an official context it was proficient and standard, unlike when it was casually discussed informally, including in businesses.
Ogechi admitted Kiswahili had been encroached on or borrowed from other languages in the globe. “Kiswahili will continue to play the role of its use as a mode of communication, for research and as a tool of instruction,” he said.
By Jane Naitore
