Using Kiswahili, English or Sign language in court and with government
Constitution of Kenya · sources read 4 Oct 2026
Kiswahili is Kenya's national language, and Kiswahili and English are both official languages. Everyone has the right to use the language of their choice, an accused person who cannot understand the court's language gets a free interpreter, and a person with a disability has the right to use Sign language or Braille.
- Where
- Tell the police officer, court or office you are dealing with; if a right is denied, the High Court
Steps
- If you are arrested, you must be told the reason in a language you understand. Say so if you do not understand.
- If you are charged and cannot follow the language of the trial, tell the court you need an interpreter. You do not pay for it.
- If one of these rights is denied, you can go to court, including the High Court, to claim it.
Watch out
- Any information the fair trial rules require you to get must be given in a language you understand.
- Parliament's official languages are Kiswahili, English and Kenyan Sign language.
- The State must promote Kenyan Sign language, Braille and other formats accessible to persons with disabilities.
- The Persons with Disabilities Act requires the Chief Justice to make rules giving persons with disabilities who attend court free Kenyan Sign Language interpreters and Braille services.
- National and county governments must make sure every health facility has enough Kenyan Sign Language interpreters.
Who this covers
- Every person, for the right to use the language of their choice.
- Anyone accused in a trial who cannot understand the court's language.
- Persons with disabilities, for Sign language, Braille and other means of communication.
Official sources (2)
- Constitution of Kenya, 2010 new.kenyalaw.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025 (No. 4 of 2025), Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 69 (Acts No. 4) ncpwd.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026