Juja MP George Koimburi has announced plans to introduce a motion in the National Assembly that would allow lawmakers to debate in their native languages during specific times each week.
Speaking to his constituents, Koimburi explained that the proposal seeks to boost cultural inclusivity and representation. He believes this change would give MPs a better way to communicate directly with the communities they represent. Under his suggestion, Parliament would set aside at least two hours every week for members to contribute to debates using their mother tongues.
“I want to speak Kikuyu during session so that my community can see they have been represented well and they can also be respected,” Koimburi said.
The lawmaker argued that using indigenous languages in Parliament would strengthen the bond between elected leaders and the public. He sees no harm in bringing local languages into the official chamber to reflect the country’s diversity.
“We want the proposal to pass because it is not wrong to speak mother tongue even during parliamentary session or when we are out there with the people,” he added.
Koimburi’s proposal faces significant constitutional and procedural hurdles, as the law explicitly defines which languages Parliament can use. Article 120 of the Constitution of Kenya mandates that all parliamentary business must occur only in English, Kiswahili, or Kenyan Sign Language.
These rules aim to maintain consistency, accessibility, and clarity throughout the legislative process. While English and Swahili are used interchangeably for debates and law-making, Article 7 specifically designates Swahili as the national language. Additionally, the inclusion of Kenyan Sign Language ensures that people with hearing impairments can stay engaged with parliamentary proceedings.
The Conflict with Existing Law
To implement Koimburi’s plan, Parliament would likely need to navigate two major obstacles:
- Constitutional Amendment: Since Article 120 explicitly limits the languages used in the House, a simple motion might not be enough. Changing this would likely require a constitutional amendment, which involves a lengthy process of public participation and a two-thirds majority vote in both the National Assembly and the Senate.
- Standing Orders: Current parliamentary rules (Standing Order 87) reinforce the constitutional requirement. They state that a member must start and finish their speech in the same approved language, leaving no room for native dialects under the current framework.
While Koimburi hopes to foster linguistic inclusivity, his proposal seeks to challenge a structure designed for national uniformity by introducing Kenya’s diverse indigenous languages into structured parliamentary sessions.
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