CELEBRATING ACCERELATED DEVELOPMENT VIA THE MOTHERTONGUE: THE CASE OF VERNACULAR MASS MEDIA IN KENYA

There exists abundant literature that confirms the importance of Mother tongues in their speaker’s lives in general and development in particular (Djite, 2008; Kiliku 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014; Kembo 1994, 1996). In Africa, specifically, research is awash on how these languages are crucial in any meaningful development (Bamgbose, 2004, 2011; Batibo 2005, 2015; Djite 1993). Further, this research points to the argument, that I agree with, that the ‘African stunted development’ is, in fact, partly a consequence of the poor management (defined in its broadest terms) of these languages. Indeed, some scholars are more candid in their position that Africa will only truly develop when its indigenous Mother tongues will be allowed to play their rightful part in the core lives of their speakers viz Education, Health, literacy, governance, media and communication, public participation and identity reproduction Alidou, et al 2006; Heugh 2006; Kamwendo, 2009; SIL International 2008; Olwabi, 2013). Undoubtedly, there are evident gains in the use of these languages, though relatively in different domains and areas with varying degrees of success and accompanying challenges. One of these areas is the media (Orao, 2008; Siangu et al, 2014). On the heels of the theme of this conference, this paper argues that Kenyan media that uses MTs has in the last two decades achieved developments worth celebration and encouragement. These developments are, argued as real and meaningful, are evident in enhancement in information dissemination, user freedoms, education and literacy, governance, public participation and exponential growth of local music and art industry. This has been an almost single achievement of the Kenyan Local Language FM Radio Stations. This part of the media is the pivot of this discussion.