Abstract
A developed nation is a knowledgeable nation in educational, social, political, economic and cultural spheres. For individuals to develop educationally, socially, politically, economically and culturally, they need to interact with government agencies that disseminate related policies. Effective interaction and communication of related policies occurs through language and effective communication is achieved through a language that the communicants understand best. Therefore, to achieve national development in all areas, in Kenya, indigenous languages become pertinent in effective communication of information related to national development goals. This is because leaders and stakeholders in these areas need to effectively communicate information pertaining to their goals to the people at the grassroots, majority of who use indigenous languages as their main and most times sole language of interaction. In addition, a number of development indices, such as, national cohesion, integration, unity, economic wellbeing and citizen participation are all linked to the use of indigenous languages that promote them. Therefore, indigenous languages seem significant in the overall development of a nation. However, these languages are least considered in the propagation of development issues, something which has been left for Kiswahili and English. Using a descriptive design, this study, therefore, provides rationale for suppressed use of indigenous languages in development issues, as well as justification for the overt use of these languages in development issues for sustainable development.
Highlights
Kenya is classified as a developing country [1]
Could it be that the reason as to why sustainable development has not been attained in Kenya is the language used in communicating information in development activities? The paper assesses the extent to which indigenous languages, which majority of the Kenyans speak, are used in communicating information regarding development issues in Kenya. It argues that the achievement of sustainable development in Kenya can only become possible through the use of indigenous languages as languages of communication in development issues and activities
Given that indigenous languages are the most important tools with which society is organized and that it is hardly possible to talk of national development without including the languages with which the people formulate their thoughts, ideas and needs, government’s programmes and policies on development issues should reach the grassroots with the use of indigenous languages
Summary
Kenya is classified as a developing country [1]. This implies that sustainable development is yet to be achieved in Kenya. Kenya’s economy has continued to be the largest in the East African region and that Kenya is one of the most highly literate countries in sub-Saharan Africa, more than 60% of the Kenyan population lives below the poverty line [2]. This shows that Kenya is not a sustainably developed country. The paper assesses the extent to which indigenous languages, which majority of the Kenyans speak, are used in communicating information regarding development issues in Kenya It argues that the achievement of sustainable development in Kenya can only become possible through the use of indigenous languages as languages of communication in development issues and activities. The use of English and Kiswahili is a barrier to effective communication in development endeavors and makes the whole process foreign
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