Kenyans often speak at least three languages: mother-tongue, Kiswahili - a ‘lingua franca’ among a large part of Eastern and Central Africa and English (being a member of the Commonwealth).
- Bantu-speaking tribes:
Central Bantu: Kikuyu, Akamba, Meru, Embu, Tharaka, Mbere
Western Bantu: Gussi, Kuria, Luhya
Coastal Bantu: Mikikenda, Swahili, Pokomo, Segeju, Taveta, Taita - Nilotic-speaking tribes:
Plains Nilotic: Maasai, Samburu, Teso, Turkana, Elmolo, Njemps
Highland Nilotic: Kalenjin, Marakwet, Tugen, Pokot, Elkony, Kipsigis
Lake River Nilotic: Luo - Cushitic-speaking tribes:
Eastern Cushitic: Rendille, Somali, Boran, Gabbra, Orma
Southern Cushitic: Boni - Arabs descendants (Swahili) Banjuni, WaGunya
- Kenyan Asians - Indian migration to Kenya followed the creation of the British East Africa Protectorate in 1895. This came over largely as labour force in the building of East African (Kenya-Uganda) Railway
- Kenyan Europeans - As a British colony, a number of whites remained settled in Kenya after its independence in 1963
2022
