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Demographics - Languages of Communication in Kenya
English is spoken widely and is the accepted language in the cities, hotels, restaurants etc. However, as well as numerous tribal languages, Kenya has its own lingua franca - Swahili or Kiswahili. Although the language is slowly dying away and very few still speak it competently.

Swahili has its origin at the Coast. Although you can manage perfectly well without knowing any Swahili, the following words and phrases will be useful. Swahili grammars are available in all local bookshops.
English Swahili   English Swahili
Hello Habari Where is the nearest garage? Iko wapi garaji iliyo karibu?
Where is the nearest police station? Kiko wapi kituo cha polisi kilicho karibu? Please direct me to a good hotel Tafadhali nionyeshe hoteli nzuri
Please Tafadhali Today Leo
Thank you Asante Goodbye Kwaheri
Tomorrow Kesho Where is the nearest telephone? Iko wapi simu iliyo karibu?
Where does this road lead to? Njia hii inaelekea wapi? I want a room for one night with a bath Nataka chumba kimoja kilicho na bafu kwa siku moja
What time is it? Ni saa ngapi? How much is this? Hii ni pesa ngapi?
What time will the food be ready? Chakula kitakuwa tayari saa ngapi? I want a cold Beer Nataka Pombe baridi
Sleeep well Lala salama Where are you? Uko wapi?
What is your name? Jina lako ni nani? Where do you live? Unaishi wapi?