Abakuria community is enthused after the Bible Society of Kenya dedicated them their first native Bible.
The Bible written in local Kuria dialect was unveiled after 39 years of research, translation and editing to fit the community’s language.
The unveiling ceremony held at Kehancha town brought together both political and religious leaders from all Kuria communities spread in Kenya and Tanzania.
Speaking during the launch of the Kuria Bible at Kehancha in Migori County, the Bible Society of Kenya General Secretary Elizabeth Wanjiru, said Sh35 million has been set aside to facilitate the process.
Bible Society of Kenya’s General Secretary says the launch of the Kuria Bible will increase social change in the community. She however revealed that Society’s main objective is to translate the sacred book into all native languages by end of 2030.
Tanzania Bible Society Coordinator Alfred Keronge, said the translation work will help the Abakuria Community, spread in both Kenya and Tanzania preserve their language.
During the commissioning, Rachael Ruto who was the chief guest echoed milestones made in ensuring that the community gets its Bible.
“The unveiling of this Bible will be vital in helping the young and future generations understand their language biblically,” remarked Ruto.
Other dignitaries present at the ceremony were legislators from Kuria West Mathias Robi and his counterpart from Kuria East, Marwa Maisori Kitayama.
In the meantime, Kitayama is calling on the Kuria community to nurture a reading culture if they expect to make good use of the Bible. He said besides the advancement of religion, the Kuria Bible is expected to bring to an end retrogressive cultural practices.
The leaders embraced the idea of a native Kuria Bible citing that it will help coming generations learn a lot from the language cultures.
The Kuria community now joins other communities like Sengwer of Rift Valley which unveiled the first-ever translated section of the English Bible to its native language on March 27, 2022.
By Polycarp Ochieng
