Deaf in Kenya


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

A Deaf person living in Kenya is not recognized as someone who has a complete and rich language. Nor as someone who belongs to a unique cultural group. But rather, this Deaf person is perceived to lack the mental capability to speak or to hear, at best the Deaf persons inability to hear is seen as a pathological problem and so much time, effort and resources are spent on speech therapy for Deaf students in the schools for the Deaf with the goal of "making Deaf people speak."

This being Kenyans' perception about Deaf people, their economic, educational and social standing among the general population is one of the lowest.

Deaf people in Kenya, as is true for Deaf people everywhere, place high value on community. Being together in fellowship is a high cultural value for them. Transparency in all situations is paramount within the culture for complete understanding and acceptance by Deaf People. By virtue of being Deaf, Deaf people take in most of their information visually. Visuals of any kind used in any situation is appreciated and valued by Deaf people.

Not any part of Scripture has been translated using Kenya Sign Language up to date. There are no films or videos in KSL with a Christian message available. Many schools for the Deaf in Keuya were begun by missionaries or church societies. Unfortunately, the Gospel was not communicated to the Deaf students in their heart language, KSL, so that there is little clear understanding of the Good News of Jesus Christ by the Deaf today.

Kenyan Deaf live within the same environment as hearing Kenyans. Their daily lives, employment and surroundings do not differ from the majority of Kenyans who live below the poverty line. The difference is that Deaf people are not recognized or respected for who they are as people by the majority. The need is obvious and the opportunity is now to bring the message of the Bible to the Deaf of Kenya.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Deaf in Kenya.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Deaf
People Name in Country Deaf
Pronunciation def
Alternate Names
Population this Country 413,000
Population all Countries 49,661,000
Total Countries 216
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 3
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 19007
ROP3 Code 114916
ROP25 Code 301989
ROP25 Name Deaf
Country Kenya
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Scattered.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Kenya
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Scattered..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
82.61 %
Ethnic Religions
7.21 %
Hinduism
0.41 %
Islam
8.32 %
Non-Religious
0.23 %
Other / Small
1.22 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Kenyan Sign Language (413,000 speakers)
Language Code xki   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Kenyan Sign Language (413,000 speakers)
Language Code xki   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Kenyan Sign Language

Primary Language:  Kenyan Sign Language

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2013)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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