The Prospects for Mother Tongue Theological Education in Western Kenya

Abstract

Beginning with a short background to the Luo people in Western Kenya, the author outlines how explorations into the nature of language in use (especially pragmatics), point to the importance of the use of MTs (Mother Tongues). While for many reasons the Luo people are in favour of the use of English-medium education, this is not as a means towards self-understanding, but of linking with lucrative international networks. Because the use of English in theological (and other) education does not result in workable relevant local comprehension, the church as well as society in general is oriented to 'mysterious' wealth generating processes. (That is, dependence on the West that is facilitated by appearing to follow Western directives and thinking through imitation of patterns of Western language use, in combination with orientation to prosperity through cleansing from malevolent spirits.) Three barriers identified to the use of MTs in education are government policy, the philosophy underlying the language (the fact that the Luo language is implicitly monistic in outlook and so not sensitive to the kinds of dualistic thinking that seem to lead to development), and its association with poverty and traditional taboos. Only through the use of MTs (or at least languages such as Kiswahili that are not dualistic or dominated by Europeans) in theological education can reality on the ground begin to be incorporated into discussion about the role of God and of the Church in society.