The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People’s was commemorated on August 9. The celebration was dedicated to the International Year of Indigenous Languages, which, many may not know, is 2019.
On the same day, a court of law heard an incredibly tragic story connected to language.
A prefect overheard a 14-year-old boy speaking in his mother tongue in a Kericho school. The prefect said he would not only report the boy, he would also ensure he was punished for breaching school rules.
The boy flew into a rage, and began raining blows on the prefect. A 16-old elder brother of the 14-year-old, also a pupil joined the fight. The two brothers kicked and boxed the prefect until he lost consciousness. One would hope the story would end there but it did not. The prefect was rushed to hospital where he died.
When the brothers were hauled before a court of law, the 14-year-old said he started the fight because the prefect wanted him punished for speaking in his mother tongue.
Kenyan literature writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o (right) claps during the launch of his book 'Wirute Gikuyu Kiega' at Kirinyaga University on February 14, 2019. He has urged Kenyans to embrace their mother tongue as a way of strengthening their culture. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NMG
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People’s was commemorated on August 9. The celebration was dedicated to the International Year of Indigenous Languages, which, many may not know, is 2019.
On the same day, a court of law heard an incredibly tragic story connected to language.
In Kenyan schools, teachers set strict rules banning pupils from speaking in their mother tongues while in school. Teachers strive to ensure pupils speak in Kiswahili and English, both examinable subjects.
A prefect overheard a 14-year-old boy speaking in his mother tongue in a Kericho school. The prefect said he would not only report the boy, he would also ensure he was punished for breaching school rules.
The boy flew into a rage, and began raining blows on the prefect. A 16-old elder brother of the 14-year-old, also a pupil joined the fight. The two brothers kicked and boxed the prefect until he lost consciousness. One would hope the story would end there but it did not. The prefect was rushed to hospital where he died.
When the brothers were hauled before a court of law, the 14-year-old said he started the fight because the prefect wanted him punished for speaking in his mother tongue.
