The British reduced the influence of Swahili and made English the medium of instruction in Kenyan schools. English remained in official use after Kenya’s independence on 12 December 1963. The official languages of Kenya are English and Swahili, with the latter also recognised as the national language.
What percentage of Kenya speaks English?
The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language estimates English-speakers in Kenya to constitute 9 percent of the population of 25 million, or about 2.24 million people, while the BBC World Service estimates 3.4 million adult English speakers there.
Why is English the official language in Kenya?
At the time of colonization, Swahili had already been established as a trade language in most parts of the East African coast and it was also used in education. The British administration decided to reduce the influence of Swahili and make English the medium of instruction in Kenyan schools.
Do they speak English in Kenya?
The country’s two official languages — and the ones you’ll hear and see used most frequently — are English and Swahili, which is considered the lingua franca of southeastern Africa for its widespread usage and ubiquity in the areas of trade, commerce, communications and education.
How common is English in Kenya?
The language is also taught in schools and all pupils, students etc write their exams in English. This makes it possible to confidently say that 3/4 of the 48 million Kenyan population according to the 2019 national census report can effectively express themselves in English.
How do u say hello in Kenya?
The most common greeting among those who speak Swahili is ‘Hujambo’ (‘Hello’) or the more colloquial greeting of ‘Jambo’. Both greetings can be responded with the phrase ‘sijambo’, which means ‘I am well’. Other common greetings in contemporary Kenya include ‘sasa’ or ‘Mambo’.
What is Kenya famous for?
Kenya, country in East Africa famed for its scenic landscapes and vast wildlife preserves. Its Indian Ocean coast provided historically important ports by which goods from Arabian and Asian traders have entered the continent for many centuries.
What is the Kenyan language?
Кения/Официальные языки
Does Kenya use British or American English?
Vocabulary. As Kenyans generally use British English, vocabulary in Kenyan English is very similar to that of British English.
Which English does Kenya use?
British English is primarily used in Kenya. Additionally, a distinct local dialect, Kenyan English, is used by some communities and individuals in the country, and contains features unique to it that were derived from local Bantu languages such as Kiswahili and Kikuyu.
What is the most spoken language in Kenya?
Кения/Официальные языки
How many language groups are there in Kenya?
Kenyan languages have been classified into three groups: Cushitic, Nilotic and Bantu.
What percent of Kenyans speak Swahili?
Nearly a 100% of the Kenyan population speaks Swahili.
How many Tanzanians speak English?
It is estimated that approximately 15% of the population in Tanzania have some knowledge of English (Rubagumya 1989:107).