Kindiki urges for protection of Kenyan culture and native languages

“Language and culture are the strongest form of identity one can ever have. It is stronger than any career or education."

by BRIAN ORUTA

News08 December 2025 - 17:39

In Summary

Speaking on Monday during the closing ceremony of the 98th Kenya Music and Cultural Festival Gala in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County, Kindiki said Kenya’s cultural foundations are central to national cohesion and progress.
He noted that the Constitution explicitly recognises culture as a pillar of national development and identity.

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Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has underscored the need to preserve Kenya’s diverse cultures and indigenous languages, warning that rapid technological advancement and shifting social norms pose a threat to the country’s cultural identity.

Speaking on Monday during the closing ceremony of the 98th Kenya Music and Cultural Festival Gala in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County, Kindiki said Kenya’s cultural foundations are central to national cohesion and progress.

He noted that the Constitution explicitly recognises culture as a pillar of national development and identity.

“Language and culture are the strongest forms of identity one can ever have. It is stronger than any career or education. Anyone abandoning their language is a slave,” he said.

“Language and culture form the bedrock of our Constitution, and the State is obligated to protect our diverse cultures and languages. The Constitution demands that all of us be protected in our diversity.”

The Deputy President stressed that Kenya’s physical infrastructure—roads, water systems, electricity networks and other facilities—must be matched with strong moral values if the country is to achieve meaningful, sustainable development.

“As much as we build the hardware, we need to focus also on our software. We must promote good morals among our children because you can have intelligent children with poor morals who end up being useless and head nowhere,” he said.

The festival featured a wide range of performances, including music, dance, drama, traditional plays and culinary exhibitions, reflecting Kenya’s cultural diversity.

Kindiki urged parents and guardians to actively pass down positive cultural traits to the younger generation, warning that many children show diminishing appreciation for tradition.

“Many of our children have little respect for our traditions and culture, little respect for elders, community and traditions. We must work hard to impart these values on them and reset the foundation of our nation,” he said.

On national development, the Deputy President highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects being implemented under the Kenya Kwanza administration.

These include expanding the road network, accelerating electricity connections—currently at 10.6 million households—and improving water systems. The government aims to achieve universal electricity access by 2030.

He added that irrigation projects covering more than two million acres are underway with the goal of boosting food production.

Kindiki said such initiatives will be supported through innovative financing models, including public-private partnerships and the sale of stakes in certain state corporations.

“We must look for innovative ways to build more roads, water, electricity and realise other infrastructure projects,” he said.

The Deputy President was accompanied by Gender and Culture Cabinet Secretary Hanna Cheptumo, Culture and Heritage Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir, Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, Kericho Governor Erick Mutai, and MPs Julius Rutto (Kesses) and Joseph Wainaina (Nominated), among other leaders.