Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburi has announced plans to introduce a motion seeking the adoption of Kikuyu as an official language for use in Parliament.
Speaking on Tuesday, March 17, Koimburi said the proposal would request the National Assembly to allocate at least two hours every week for Members of Parliament to address the House in Kikuyu.
According to the legislator, the move aims to enhance representation for the community while making parliamentary discussions easier for people to follow.
Juja MP George Koimburi Proposes Kikuyu as Official Language in Parliament. Photo: Courtesy.
Koimburi noted that allowing MPs to speak in Kikuyu would help constituents better understand debates and decisions made in Parliament.
The MP also expressed confidence that the proposal could encourage broader public engagement with parliamentary proceedings, arguing that many Kenyans across different regions understand the Mount Kenya dialect.
If adopted, the proposal would introduce a new language option in parliamentary debate, which is currently conducted mainly in English and Kiswahili.
The Juja legislator urged fellow Members of Parliament to support the proposal, noting that it would also allow lawmakers from other communities to present motions and contributions in their respective mother tongues.
According to Koimburi, the move would promote greater inclusivity and cultural pride among Kenyans while making parliamentary proceedings more relatable to citizens.
Currently, MPs are permitted to address the National Assembly in English, Kiswahili, and Kenyan Sign Language, which are the officially recognised languages for parliamentary debate.
Attempts by lawmakers to use local dialects or informal language such as Sheng are typically ruled out of order by the Speaker.
