MP calls for teaching of mother tongue to children during school holidays

THIKA: Kiambu Woman Representative Ann Nyokabi has called for the introduction of mother tongue to the children during school holidays.

Nyokabi noted that it is very unfortunate that most of the children who are born and brought up in urban areas cannot communicate in their mother tongue.

"Children cannot communicate with their grandparents when they travel up-country, which is a very a worrying trend, our children need to learn their mother tongue," said Nyokabi.

She suggested that children should be taken to specific institutions during April, August and December holidays where they should be taught their mother tongue and be introduced to Kikuyu customs.

Nyokabi spoke at the Kikuyu council of elders’ headquarters in Nairobi where she called on young people to shun westernisation but instead emulate their fore fathers.

"Look at Masaai community they still adhere to their traditions but we the Kikuyu we no longer practice it thus why you see when tourist come visiting our country they make a point of visiting Masaai community," she added.

Speaking in the same venue Kikuyu council of elders led by their chairman Wachira Kiago have called on county government to partner with them and come up with cultural centres, where locals will be taught about their community.

"In the olden days boys used to be taught by men and girls by women but it is no longer taking place nowadays we need to go back to our roots and teach our children our cultural to avoid its degradation," said Wachira.