Languages of Kenya
| Languages of Kenya | |
|---|---|
English shop sign in Nairobi | |
| Official | English and Swahili |
| Main | Swahili (lingua franca) |
| Indigenous | Bajuni, Digo, Embu, Gusii, Idaxo-Isuxa-Tiriki, Ilwana, Kamba, Khayo, Kikuyu, Kuria, Logoli, Luhya, Marachi, Mijikenda, Meru, Nyole, Pokomo, Samia, Suba, Taita, West Nyala, Aweer, Burji, Daasanach, Dahalo, El Molo, Orma, Oromo, Rendille, Somali, Southern Oromo, Waata, Yaaku, Kipsigis, Luo, Maasai, Naandi, Ogiek, Omotik, Pökoot, Samburu, Tugen, Turkana |
| Vernacular | Kenyan English |
| Signed | Kenyan Sign Language |
| Keyboard layout | |
Kenya is a multilingual country.
The two official languages of Kenya, Swahili and English, are widely spoken as lingua francas; however, including second-language speakers, Swahili is more widely spoken than English. Swahili is a Bantu language native to East Africa and English is inherited from British colonial rule.