(Nairobi 10 July 2025) - UNON¡¯s Director-General, Ms. Hawa Bangura led the commemoration of Kiswahili language day in Kenya stating that the commemoration was not just a celebration of a language but a celebration of identity, heritage and recognition of the Kiswahili language that is spoken by more than 200 million people worldwide.
She reiterated that the recognition of the language globally should not be taken lightly because the language also unites people globally.
Over 100 Members of the Diplomatic Corps, academicians, students and UN officials participated at the UNON Kiswahili Language Day event where students performed songs and poems in Kiswahili language. The event was also webcast and can be viewed .
Origins of the language
Professor Njoki from the University of Nairobi presented on the origin of Kiswahili language informing how the language was formed following the interaction of Arabic language spoken by Arab traders who came to buy slaves and goods and the Bantu language spoken by tribes along the coastal areas in current Tanzania. Professor Njoki informed how as a trade language, Kiswahili the language reached other countries in East Africa and beyond.
Tanzania¡¯s Ambassador to Kenya, Ambassador Dr. Bernard Kibesse opened his speech with a Kiswahili proverb , ¡®Mkataa kwao ni Mtumwa¡¯ which means he who shuns his home is a slave. He elaborated that beyond being a language of communication, Kiswahili is an identity that reminds us who we are, where we came from and the preservation of the rich African culture deeply rooted in the Bantu origins.¡±
The Tanzanian envoy expressed that it was gratifying to see that currently Kiswahili language is recognised as official language of the African Union, the East African Community and also The Southern African Development Community-SADC.
Dr. Kibesse who is also the Permanent Representative of Tanzania in the United Nations Environment Programme and UN Habitat whose Headquarters are in Nairobi, further informed about the importance of Kiswahili language in advancing the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AcFTA) as a business language that can be used to facilitate trade among nations.
An English Swahili AI dictionary
During the commemoration which also falls at UN¡¯s eightieth year of multilateral service, The Representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Ms. Jay Ralitera informed that after close consultations with Artificial intelligence experts and linguists, UNESCO successfully launched the English-Kiswahili Artificial intelligence dictionary.
The UNESCO official informed that the dictionary which is accessible online is an innovation designed to enhance common understanding of AI related terminologies among Kiswahili speakers. The initiative is a step toward promoting multilingualism in cyberspace and digital inclusion.
Students from Peponi House Preparatory School and Man¡¯gu High School present, utilised the opportunity of the commemoration to showcase their skills in reciting Kiswahili poems. One of the interesting poems recited was known as ¡®Daraja¡¯ meaning bridge.
