Education stakeholders have urged the government to put more investments in developing the Kiswahili language and make it more vibrant in the Country.

The stakeholders who were speaking in Kisumu during a Kiswahili festival dubbed “Tamasha ya Ulimbwende wa Kiswahili,” organised by the Standard Group’s Radio Maisha, expressed their concerns that the vibrant East African language has not grown fast enough despite the efforts by professionals.

The festival, which was held at the Makini School in Kisumu, attracted over 1500 pupils from schools across the Nyanza region.

Victor Mulama, the “Nuru ya Lugha” show host at Radio Maisha, who led the show in Kisumu, called on the government and education stakeholders, including those from the private sector, to channel more resources into developing the Kiswahili language in the country. 

“I want to challenge the government and education stakeholders to put in the necessary investments to make Kiswahili more attractive not just as a subject taught in schools but also as a sector that attracts investments. This language must be preserved and celebrated. It belongs to all of us,” said Mulama.

He urged students to take pride in speaking and writing in Kiswahili. 

His sentiments were echoed by Anduvati Kennedy of Daraja Bora Foundation, who co-organized the festival with Radio Maisha.

Anduvati stated that a partnership between the government and the private sector with investment in technology and skill development will help revolutionize the use of Kiswahili into a vibrant sector that benefits the Country. 

Joshua Angira, the headteacher at the Makini School, said that the high number of students attending the festival was a testimony of the level of commitment from teachers and parents from a cross the region to develop the use of the Kiswahili language and make it vibrant in a region where the use of Kiswahili language has been viewed to be unpopular.

Titus Ondoro, a parent at Makini School in Kisumu, who attended the event with his son, said that it offered learners more learning experience.

“Pupils have been able to interact with the Radio on a one-on-one basis, which is very important for them as learners, and as parents, we are very happy with this because when this happens, “Ondoro said.

Grace Ester, a grade 8 pupil at Golden Elites School in Kisumu, said that the festival enabled her to learn a lot from the Kiswahili set book that he is currently studying.

Ester was not the only learner thrilled by the show as Samuel Nyaranga, her counterpart from Makini School, urged their parents and teachers to ensure that such shows are held often.

“I’m happy, I have enjoyed this session. More such sessions should be organised for us as learners.”

The Kisumu event marked the third edition of Ulimbwende wa Kiswahili, an initiative by Standard Media Group PLC in partnership with Daraja Bora. The inaugural edition was held at Standard Media Group headquarters in Nairobi, attracting 900 learners, while the second edition, also in Nairobi, brought together over 800 students in March this year.

Ulimbwende wa Kiswahili, which translates to the beauty of Kiswahili, aims to recognize the development, achievements, and ongoing efforts to strengthen Kiswahili as a unifying language across East Africa.