Members of County Assembly (MCAs) seen in a viral video carrying out assembly proceedings in vernacular, have been identified.
K24 learned that the legislators were from Bomet County Assembly, who had met a section of local leaders and residents to discuss the plight of residents who had been displaced by white settlers.
The county legislators were drawn from the Bomet County Assembly Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Planning, seeking to listen and deliberate on the petition filed by the residents.
In their defense, the Ward Representatives argued that land matters were too weighty and could not be discussed in a language seen as belonging to their oppressor (English).
The video has elicited mixed reactions from Netizens, with some criticizing the county lawmakers while others have come to their defense.
"I don't have an issue with people speaking their mother tongue but does that represent the people of Bomet? Are all Bomet residents Kipsigis?” asked one Twitter user.
"What's funny when conducting a session in their mother tongue? The common man can understand even better," stated another Twitter user in favour of the legislators.
Others, however, disagreed with the MCAs actions claiming it was displeasing to use one's mother tongue in a public office.
The Public Service Ministry has in the past, found it hard to reprimand public officials for speaking in their local dialect.
"It is very difficult for the Ministry to infringe on the rights of civil servants," former assistant minister Aden Sugow stated.
According to chapter two of the constitution, the recognized official languages are Kiswahili and English. Although the constitution also provides for the promotion of the indigenous languages, it does not explain the specific instances when it should be used.
"The official languages of the Republic are Kiswahili and English.
"The State shall promote the development and use of indigenous languages, Kenyan sign language, Braille and other communication formats and technologies accessible to persons with disabilities," reads the Constitution.
County Assemblies, the National Assembly and the Senate only allow proceedings in English, Kiswahili or the sign language.
