Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza has asked Mombasa residents to embrace local tourism by visiting the Fort Jesus recreational centre to learn about Swahili cultural heritage.
Speaking during celebrations to mark World Kiswahili Day, Ms. Malonza said that plans are underway to have Fort Jesus and Mama Ngina waterfront parks handed over to the management of the county government so they can serve the locals better.
Malonza said that following required government protocols, the two governments will sit down and agree further on how these two local resources will be passed over to the county government so that the revenue generated directly benefits the people of Mombasa.
She noted that the celebrations will be happening in the Coast region all through, under her leadership as the CS for Tourism. She added that the language is significant in nurturing both local and international tourism, noting that Kiswahili is spoken worldwide.
The CS said over 200 million people worldwide speak Kiswahili, and it has been significant to the East African Community (EAC) as it has fostered peace and cooperation among the member states that majorly use the language.
“This day will be celebrated here in the Coast region as it is the center for the Kiswahili language. We will also make sure the upcoming celebrations are bigger in that the whole country participates in showcasing their proficiency in the Kiswahili language,” she said.
She added that they will also invite international friends to Kenya, like the United States of America (USA) and China, who are now teaching Kiswahili language in some of their universities, to come and celebrate with Kenya as they mark the significant event.
“The Kiswahili language is not associated with any tribe, thus making it a significant language to be used in fostering peace and cooperation among nations. The language also unifies nations, and it can attract foreign investments that generate revenue,” she added.
The CS said that tourists visiting the country will be given Kiswahili lessons for easier communication and interaction with the locals in Mombasa.
Malonza said that the introduction of sheng in society will not deter the growth of the Kiswahili language as sheng keeps on changing from time to time and is a language mostly used by the youth.
She said there is a need to set up a library that focuses on the history of the Kiswahili language to complement the existing libraries that contain books and other materials that expound on the expertise of the Kiswahili language.
“We need a special library that will focus on the Kiswahili language only. It is now a historic matter as Kiswahili is the only language in Africa to be recognised by the African Union, thus we request our schools to organise for competitions in Kiswahili just like there are others in sciences and mathematics,” she added.
The CS also lauded the National Museum of Kenya, the county government, and other stakeholders for organizing competitions for schoolchildren and exhibitions of skills, talents, and businesses that showcase Swahili culture, among others.
She said that it is important to note that Kiswahili is a national language under the 2010 Constitution, and Kenyans are free to use the language in any formal discussions.
“My ministry will ensure that there is a National Kiswahili Council where the scholars will be board members to help in the growth of the language in the country,” she said.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said that the Swahili culture calls for peaceful coexistence and unity without discriminating against others based on race, tribe, or religion, thus making these the main principles of his governance.
Nassir said that he will not discriminate against some parts of the county in his governance so as to ensure the area grows uniformly.
“We are committed to ensuring that we preserve our national language, which is why we are requesting the government to ensure the Kiswahili Day celebrations are done in Mombasa,” he said.
Likoni Member of Parliament Mishi Mboko said that the Swahili dialect is one that the people of the coast can brag about as it is soothing to listen to when one is speaking.
She said the marking of Kiswahili Day is an awakening to those using the language not to be ashamed while speaking it, as it is mostly not preferred by people who associate the English language with excellence.
By Chari Suche
