Kenya

English

[eng] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Constitution, Article 7(2)). 4,244,000 in Kenya, all users. L1 users: 54,000 in Kenya (2020 Joshua Project), increasing, based on ethnicity. L2 users: 4,190,000 (2019).

Swahili

[swh] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Constitution, Article 7(2)). 19,111,000 in Kenya, all users. L1 users: 111,000 in Kenya (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. 5,140 Amu, 91,400 Bajuni, 320 Chitundi, 1,340 Changamwe, 4,730 Jomvu, 110 Katwa, 690 Kilifi, 640 Kilindini, 240 Mtwapa, 400 Mvita, 1,160 Ngare, 1,120 Pate, 170 Shaka, 1,020 Siu, 530 Tangana, 1,450 Vumba (2019 census). L2 users: 19,000,000 (2019).

4 (Educational)

Bukusu

[bxk] 4 (Educational). 1,190,000 in Kenya (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 1,227,100.

Kamba

[kam] 4 (Educational). 5,260,000 in Kenya, all users. L1 users: 4,660,000 in Kenya (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. L2 users: 600,000. Total users in all countries: 5,260,000 (as L1: 4,660,000; as L2: 600,000).

Kimîîru

[mer] 4 (Educational). 1,980,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Lulogooli

[rag] 4 (Educational). 335,000 in Kenya (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 335,300.

Olukhayo

[lko] 4 (Educational). 68,700 (2019 census), based on ethnicity.

Olumarachi

[lri] 4 (Educational). 65,600 (2019 census), based on ethnicity.

Olumarama

[lrm] 4 (Educational). 43,100 (2019 census), based on ethnicity.

Olusamia

[lsm] 4 (Educational). 84,800 in Kenya (2019 census), based on ethnicity.

Olushisa

[lks] 4 (Educational). 35,100 (2019 census), based on ethnicity.

Olutsotso

[lto] 4 (Educational). 72,700 (2019 census), based on ethnicity.

Oluwanga

[lwg] 4 (Educational). 94,200 (2019 census), based on ethnicity.

5 (Dispersed)

Gujarati

[guj] 5 (Dispersed). 208,000 in Kenya (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Punjabi, Eastern

[pan] 5 (Dispersed). 65,000 in Kenya (2020 Joshua Project), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Somali

[som] 5 (Dispersed). 2,240,000 in Kenya (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity, including 516,000 Degodia, 139,000 Murule, 698,000 Ogaden, and 66,000 Wardei (2019 census).

5 (Developing)

Konkani, Goan

[gom] 5* (Developing). 9,600 in Kenya (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Lukabaras

[lkb] 5* (Developing). 137,000 (2019 census), based on ethnicity.

Lutachoni

[lts] 5* (Developing). 85,600 (2019 census), based on ethnicity.

Nandi

[niq] 5* (Developing). 938,000 (2019 census), based on ethnicity.

Borana

[gax] 5 (Developing). 627,000 in Kenya (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. Ajuran 182,000, Borana 276,000, Gabra 141,000, Sakuye 27,000 (2019 census).

Chidigo

[dig] 5 (Developing). 410,000 in Kenya (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 576,000.

Chiduruma

[dug] 5 (Developing). 555,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Dawida

[dav] 5 (Developing). 344,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Dholuo

[luo] 5 (Developing). 5,070,000 in Kenya (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 5,255,000.

Ekegusii

[guz] 5 (Developing). 3,200,000 in Kenya, all users. L1 users: 2,700,000 in Kenya (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. L2 users: 500,000. Total users in all countries: 3,201,470 (as L1: 2,701,470; as L2: 500,000).

Gikuyu

[kik] 5 (Developing). 8,150,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Kenyan Sign Language

[xki] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2010, Constitution, Article 7(3b) National, official and other languages; and Article 120(1) Official Languages of Parliament). 260,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL), increasing. Estimated 160,000–320,000 deaf signers, assuming 0.3%–0.6% of total population. Other estimates: 340,000 (2007 DOOR); 600,000 (Wilson and Kakiri 2011).

Kiembu

[ebu] 5 (Developing). 600,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. Embu 405,000; Mbeere 195,000 (2019 census).

Kigiryama

[nyf] 5 (Developing). 1,160,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. 1,000,000 Giryama; 31,000 Kambe; 126,000 Rabai; 10,700 Ribe (2019 census).

Kipfokomo

[pkb] 5 (Developing). 112,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Kipsigis

[sgc] 5 (Developing). 1,910,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Kitharaka

[thk] 5 (Developing). 220,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. 61,600 monolinguals.

Kiwilwana

[mlk] 5 (Developing). 21,800 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Kuria

[kuj] 5 (Developing). 314,000 in Kenya (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Luidakho-Luisukha-Lutirichi

[ida] 5 (Developing). 156,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. Idakho 54,700; Isukha 102,000; Tiriki 93,400 (2019 census).

Maasai

[mas] 5 (Developing). 1,190,000 in Kenya (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 1,872,000.

Markweeta

[enb] 5 (Developing). 129,000 (2019 census), based on ethnicity, including Cherang’any 8,320 and Endo 400 (2019 census).

Mwimbi-Muthambi

[mws] 5 (Developing). 70,000 (1980 SIL), increasing.

Nyala

[nle] 5 (Developing). 227,000 (2019 census), based on ethnicity.

Olunyole

[nyd] 5 (Developing). 155,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Pökoot

[pko] 5 (Developing). 778,000 in Kenya (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 883,000.

Rendille

[rel] 5 (Developing). 96,300 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Sabaot

[spy] 5 (Developing). 296,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Sagalla

[tga] 5 (Developing). 100,000 (1992 UBS).

Suba

[sxb] 5 (Developing). 158,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Taveta

[tvs] 5 (Developing). 26,600 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Turkana

[tuv] 5 (Developing). 1,020,000 (2019 census), based on ethnicity. 593,000 monolinguals.

6a (Vigorous)

Arabic, Omani Spoken

[acx] 6a (Vigorous). 27,000 in Kenya (2020 Joshua Project), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Ateso

[teo] 6a (Vigorous). 418,000 in Kenya (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Aweer

[bob] 6a (Vigorous). 7,600 (2009 census), increasing. 1,600 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 20,100 (2019 census).

Chichonyi-Chidzihana-Chikauma

[coh] 6a (Vigorous). 309,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. Chonyi 199,000; Jibana 38,500; Kauma 71,100 (2019 census).

Daasanach

[dsh] 6a* (Vigorous). 18,400 in Kenya (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. Population varies as people freely cross the Ethiopian border. 6,250 monolinguals.

Garre

[gex] 6a* (Vigorous). 602,000 in Kenya (2019 census), based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 685,600.

Gichuka

[cuh] 6a (Vigorous). 70,000 (1980 SIL), increasing.

Keiyo

[eyo] 6a (Vigorous). 251,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Nubi

[kcn] 6a (Vigorous). 21,300 in Kenya (2019 census), based on ethnicity.

Orma

[orc] 6a (Vigorous). 92,100 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Samburu

[saq] 6a (Vigorous). 366,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity, including Ilchamus and Njemps 33,000 (2019 census).

Tugen

[tuy] 6a (Vigorous). 198,000 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Waata

[ssn] 6a (Vigorous). 20,100 (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

7 (Shifting)

Burji

[bji] 7 (Shifting). 36,900 in Kenya (2019 census), based on ethnicity.

Terik

[tec] 7 (Shifting). 23,300 (2019 census), decreasing, based on ethnicity. Ethnic population: 120,000 (2020 UNESCO).

8a (Moribund)

Dahalo

[dal] 8a (Moribund). 580 (2019 census), based on ethnicity. Ethnic population: 3,000 (Dimmendaal and Voeltz 2007).

Omotik

[omt] 8a (Moribund). 50 (1980). Ethnic population: 200 (2020 Joshua Project).

Yaaku

[muu] 8a (Moribund). 10 (2016 BBC). Ethnic population: 4,000 (2016 BBC).

8b (Nearly extinct)

Okiek

[oki] 8b (Nearly extinct). 50 L1 speakers in Kenya and Tanzania (Austin 2008). Spoken by a small number of people (Dimmendaal and Voeltz 2007). Ethnic population: 52,600 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 250.

9 (Dormant)

El Molo

[elo] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers. Last fluent speaker, Kaayo, died in 1999 (2012 M. Tosco). Ethnic population: 1,100 (2019 census).

10 (Extinct)

Singa

[sgm] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers.

Unestablished

Arabic, Hadrami Spoken

[ayh] Unestablished. 13,000 in Kenya (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Arabic, Ta’izzi-Adeni Spoken

[acq] Unestablished. 35,000 in Kenya (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Chinese, Mandarin

[cmn] Unestablished. 34,000 in Kenya (2019 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

French

[fra] Unestablished. 2,100 in Kenya (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Ganda

[lug] Unestablished. 50,000 in Kenya (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Hindi

[hin] Unestablished. 6,700 in Kenya (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Kacchi

[kfr] Unestablished. 82,000 in Kenya (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Kinyarwanda

[kin] Unestablished. 8,730 in Kenya (2019 census), based on nationality.

Konso

[kxc] Unestablished. 1,300 in Kenya (2019 census), based on ethnicity.

Maay

[ymm] Unestablished. 108,000 in Kenya (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Rundi

[run] Unestablished. 14,000 in Kenya (2019 census), based on nationality.

Sindhi

[snd] Unestablished. 3,300 in Kenya (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Toposa

[toq] Unestablished. 3,000 in Kenya (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Kenya

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