HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 41468,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/41468/?format=api",
"text_counter": 204,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Mbau",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 182,
"legal_name": "Elias Peter Mbau",
"slug": "elias-mbau"
},
"content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I bring this Motion to attempt to entrench the value of nationhood as is well contained in our Constitution. I would like to begin by quoting Section 7(1) of our Constitution which reads clearly that the national language of the Republic of Kenya is Kiswahili. Section 7(2) of the Constitution states that the official languages of the Republic of Kenya are Kiswahili and English. It further goes on to require that the State shall promote and protect the diversity of language of the people of Kenya. I must underline that. Section 10 (2)(b) of our Constitution further requires that human dignity, equity, social justice, inclusiveness, equality, human rights, non- discrimination and protection of the marginalized shall be engendered to be achieved by the State and its agents. Without having to belabour, language plays a very vital role in society and occupies a very important place as a tool of communication. Beyond that, language if well nurtured can become an icon of identity and culture as is the case in Kenya. I know Kenya is rich in cultural diversity with over 42 ethnic communities which speak different dialects and languages. The vernacular languages spoken in Kenya play an important role in maintaining a certain kind of national unity and workable co-existence among the different tribes in the same location, sub-location and communities. They also display the uniqueness of a particular ethnic community within their own localized settings. It is, however, unfortunate, I must say, that many nations of the world today face different degrees of ethnic hatred and related conflicts, Kenya included. Unfortunately, we have been a victim as was attested to during the post-election violence of 2008. It, therefore, goes to show that ethnic diversity may have negative consequences if not well managed and regulated. The National Cohesion and Integration Act, 2008 cites discrimination on the basis of ethnic and racial background as a criminal offence and bars comparison of persons of different ethnic groups and makes it illegal to harass another person based on his race or ethnicity. This Commission is mandated to facilitate and promote equality of opportunity, good relations, harmony and peaceful co-existence between persons of different ethnic and racial backgrounds in Kenya. I know that the Commission has been doing its bit trying to crack the whip on hate speech. However, I must say that even though the Commission has been doing its bit, a lot still remains to be done. It is my conviction that a resolution of this House will go towards reinforcing the efforts of the Commission to the extent that I appeal to the Government to ensure that what goes on and what is communicated in public offices and national institutions are the aspects that I want considered. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, following the hostilities that occurred and cognizant of the fact that our Constitution now recognizes Kiswahili and English as the official languages, including here on the Floor--- Previously, public officers were barred from communicating in Kiswahili in Government offices, but our Constitution now requires and recognizes both English and Kiswahili as languages that people can use to communicate in any office. This Motion, therefore, aims to ban the use of vernacular languages in public offices as it causes disharmony and discomfort to those who may not understand a particular vernacular language and might stir ethnic hatred. The Motion, however, allows the use of vernacular language by Government field officers at the level of locations, sub-locations and public barazas. As you know, even the extension officers deployed by the Government, more often than not, are those that are also able to converse in the local languages. The rationale for banning vernacular language use in public offices, include, endeavour to connect various officers and persons of diverse ethnic groups of people in a way that they feel part and parcel of each other; respect and regard one another as brother and sister and in a manner that does not smirk of a âme-versus-those-othersâ attitude. I must give an example here. I have had an occasion to be in a country outside this country and met a group of people who were speaking in Kiswahili. I just met a group of people who were speaking in Kiswahili and straight away I thought that they are from either Kenya or Tanzania because I believe that people who speak Kiswahili must be persons from this region. So, I approached them and greeted them in Kiswahili. I asked them whether they are from Kenya and they told me that they are from Tanzania. I felt challenged that the people from Tanzania are able to identify themselves and to be identified by others as Tanzanians, irrespective of where they are and they are also proud of their language. I must also note that ethnic and vernacular language may be necessary in uniting Kenyans from one community but may have a negative impact if continually used in a cosmopolitan environment. I need to note that even though currently we claim that our towns and urban centres are occupied by about 20 per cent of the population of Kenya, I also know that the projects of Vision 2030 show that 70 to 75 per cent of the Kenyan population will be residing in urban centres. It is in these urban centres where you find that majority of the people especially the young do not care about where you were born or come from. They care about the ability to communicate in a language that connects and in a language that makes them understand one another. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I must continue to say that ethnicity has a negative aspect because of some tribal individuals - we have a good proportion of ethnic chauvinists both in this House and outside this House - who are inclined to see only the members of their tribe as people and also denigrate all others as something less. I believe that with the new Constitution, we must stand tall. Kenyans and especially the leaders must endeavor to stand tall. Today is a day where I want to call upon all those people who would like to claim a level of statesmanship, nationalism and patriotism, to stand up and support a Motion that seeks to ensure that when Kenyans talk, they talk as one and that they only remember that they come from some certain small localities when they go back to be with their families and small communities. As I said earlier, our Constitution clearly recognizes that English may be a little bit difficult for all but we also know that since the NARC administration took power, this Government has gone a long way in ensuring that literacy levels are enhanced through the sponsorship of the free primary education and subsidized secondary schools. This means that the Government clearly seeks to ensure that as many people as possible understand the English language. I am happy to note that the Constitution also seeks to support and encourage Kenyans in the promotion and usage of Kiswahili. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, as we move forward, I wish to note that to further enhance national cohesion among the people, we need to ensure that there is a policy. We should follow the example of other countries that have done it and done it well. I can quote even the so called ânot too developedâ countries like China where Mandarin is the language that is used across the board; France uses French even though they have various sub-tribes; I also mentioned Bahasha which is used in Indonesia; Thai is used in Thailand and Kiswahili in Tanzania. I do not know where we lost the hold after 20 years after Independence but we must get back on track and begin to go the way of using a language that will unite all of us. Let me further say that vernacular language usage in public offices sometimes turns out to be a source of conflict among different tribes, jeopardizing the unity that the new Constitution so much endeavors to achieve. With English and Kiswahili as a common language to all ethnic groups in Government offices, the collective sentiments of belonging together despite our own individual or ethnic differences, would be forged, engendered and would be endeared to all who care for this country. Usage of these two languages would go a long way in ensuring the cultivation of patriotism and ensuring that organizations and institutions that are usually manned by persons through their merit or qualifications of diverse backgrounds and ethnic backgrounds---. It would ensure that there is a feeling of love for that organization, oneness and inspiration to care for each other as there would be a common bond. Use of vernacular languages kills patriotism and instead nurtures localization and a feeling of belonging to oneâs community. This surely must come to an end. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have had occasion to visit offices outside where I come from and sometimes it is so nagging and disparaging because when you are in an office and you request to be served, you discover that officers in a public office first converse in their mother tongue before they can serve you. At that point, you do not know what they are saying or whether they are asking how they are going to corner you or whether you should give a bribe. So, you actually do not know whether the service you receive is what you deserved. I earnestly wish to urge Members of this august House to ensure that they stand with me and also with this Motion which is now their property, in order to ensure that we are able to promote human and national development across our ethnic boundaries and across our country boundaries. Discrimination has never been good value for anybody. I know that in this Parliament we have a Committee on Equal Opportunities which is chaired by Mr. Affey. This Committee endeavors to ensure that everybody in this country, wherever they come from, is given an equal opportunity without being discriminated against, provided they also extol qualifications, competence and merit. I think we are not asking for too much. What I am asking for will not have any monetary component and it is within the constitutional provisions. I think it is right for us to demand that. The Government has an obligation to ensure that the public moves towards achieving its human rights, as enshrined in the Bill of Rights in the Constitution."
}