Languages of Kenya

Though there are over thirty distinct dialects spoken by hundreds of tribes within Kenya, the major indigenous languages can be divided into three main groups:

Cushitic -

When nomadic tribes from Ethiopia – Kenya's first recorded inhabitants - migrated into Kenya around 2000 BC, they brought the Cushitic languages with them. Today their descendents populate the Eastern half of Kenya and continue to speak almost a dozen Cushitic languages, the main ones of which are Orma, Ogaden, Obdalia, Somali, Boni and Rendille.

Bantu -

Between 500 BC and 500 AD Bantu tribes wandered over from West Africa, bringing a host of Bantu languages with them. Today Bantu tribes make up the largest single component of Kenya's population (over a third). Their population is concentrated in three main areas – South Western Kenya around Lake Victoria, South Central Kenya around the Rift Valley and South Eastern Kenya along the coast. Their main languages include Luhya, Kisii, Kikuyu, Embu, Kamba and Mijikenda.

Nilotic -

Nilotic tribes migrated in from the Nile Valley, North of Kenya. Today their descendents occupy most of Central Kenya, speaking the Nilotic languages Maasai, Luo, Samburu and Turkana.



James W.