Political and sociolinguistic obstacles to the expanded functions of Kiswahili in Kenya

Abstract

The functional relevance of Kiswahili in Kenya has featured in many language policy statements. It is recognised as a lingua franca for interpersonal use. It also acquired a statutory and political role as a language of national integration and mobilisation at independence. The climax of Kiswahili's formal elevation came on 27 August 2010, with the promulgation of Kenya's new constitution. Henceforth, Kiswahili became an official language alongside English. This promotion of status portends an elaboration of the functional domains of Kiswahili. Given the historical, linguistic, political and inter-ethnic tensions that have characterised the growth of Kiswahili in Kenya, its redefined status has been received with political apprehension and public skepticism. In this article, I analyse the challenges and prospects of Kiswahili within Kenya's socio-political context. The aim is to establish the trends that the elaboration of its functions is likely to generate in the social, governmental, educational, professional, media, regional and political spheres.

Keywords:

• elaborated functions
• functional domains
• language policy
• language status
• political resistance