GIKUYU

KIU] 5,347,000 (1994 I. Larsen BTL) or 19.8% of the population (1987). West central Kenya, in Kiambu, Murang'a, Nyeri, and Kirinyaga districts, Central Province. Alternate names: KIKUYU, GEKOYO, GIGIKUYU. Dialects: SOUTHERN GIKUYU (KIAMBU, SOUTHERN MURANG'A), NDIA (SOUTHERN kIRINYAGA), GICHUGU (NORTHERN kIRINYAGA), MATHIRA (KARATINA), NORTHERN GIKUYU (NORTHERN MURANG'A, NYERI). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, E, Kikuyu-Kamba (E.20).

GUSII
GUZ] 1,582,000 (1994 I. Larsen BTL), 6.3% of the population. 2,000,000 probably including second language users (1999 WA). Southwestern, south of Kavirondo Gulf, Kisii District, Nyanza Province. Alternate names: KISII, KOSOVA, GUZII, EKEGUSII. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, E, Kuria (E.10).

KALENJIN
KLN] 2,458,123 (1989 census), including 471,459 Kipsigis, 261,969 Nandi, 110,908 Keiyo, 130,249 Tugen (1980 Heine and Möhlig). Mainly Nandi, Kericho, and Uasin Gishu districts, Rift Valley Province. Dialects: NANDI (NAANDI, CEMUAL), TERIK (NYANG'ORI), KIPSIGIS (KIPSIIKIS, KIPSIKIS, KIPSIKIIS), KEIYO (KEYO, ELGEYO), SOUTH TUGEN (TUKEN), CHERANGANY. Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Nilotic, Southern, Kalenjin, Nandi-Markweta, Nandi.

KAMBA

KIK] 2,448,302 (1989 census) or 11.2% of the population (1987). 3,000,000 including second language users (1999 WA). South central, Machakos and Kitui Districts, Eastern Province. Some in Kwale District, Coast Province. Alternate names: KIKAMBA, KEKAMBA. Dialects: MASAKU, SOUTH KITUI, NORTH KITUI, MUMONI. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, E, Kikuyu-Kamba (E.20).

LUYIA

[LUY] 3,418,083 (1989 census), or 13.1% of the population, including 135,000 Wanga, 65,000 Marama, 45,000 Tsotso 60,000 Kisa, 105,000 Kabras, 35,000 East Nyala, 50,000 Saamia, 35,000 West Nyala, 60,000 Khayo, 60,000 Marachi (1980 SIL). Population total both countries 3,643,461. Alternate names: LULUYIA, LUHYA. Dialects: KISA (SHISA, LUSHISA), MARAMA, WANGA (HANGA, LUHANGA, OLUHANGA, KAWANGA, OLUWANGA), TSOTSO, SAAMIA (SAMIA, OLUSAMIA, LUSAMIA, LUSAAMIA, SAMYA), WEST NYALA (NYALA-B), KHAYO, SONGA, MARACHI. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Masaba-Luyia (J.30), Luyia.

MERU

MER] 1,305,000 (1994 I. Larsen BTL), or 5.6% of the population including 540,000 Meru, 26,400 Igoji (1980 Berne and Mölig). Meru District, Eastern Province, northeast of Mt. Kenya. Alternate names: KIMERU. Dialects: MERU, IGEMBE, TIGANIA, IMENTI, MIUTINI, IGOJI. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, E, Kikuyu-Kamba (E.20), Meru

Swahili

Over 50 million people in eastern and central Africa speak Swahili. It is widely used in Kenya,Tanzania and Uganda. A little over 1 million people speak it as their first language. most others speak Swahili fluently as a second, third or fourth language.

For more information : Swahili Brochure