This table lists languages spoken in Kenya, including official, working, regional, and minority languages.
Percentages and speaker counts may be unavailable for some languages due to census and reporting limitations.
Language details
15 languages| Language | Statuses | Language presence |
|---|---|---|
|
Swahili (macrolanguage)
|
Official
Working
|
66% · ≈ 38.7 m |
|
English
|
Official
Working
|
19% · ≈ 11.1 m |
|
Kikuyu
|
National
|
17% · ≈ 10 m |
|
Luyia
|
No special status | 11% · ≈ 6.4 m |
|
Luo (Kenya and Tanzania)
|
National
|
9.8% · ≈ 5.7 m |
|
Kalenjin
|
No special status | 7.6% · ≈ 4.5 m |
|
Kamba (Kenya)
|
National
|
7.6% · ≈ 4.5 m |
|
Gusii
|
No special status | 4.9% · ≈ 2.9 m |
|
Meru
|
National
|
4% · ≈ 2.3 m |
|
Masai
|
National
|
1.6% · ≈ 938 k |
|
Embu
|
No special status | 1.5% · ≈ 880 k |
|
Somali
|
National
Minority
|
1.3% · ≈ 762 k |
|
Cutchi-Swahili
|
Official
Working
|
— |
|
Luopohe Hmong
|
National
|
— |
|
Turkana
|
National
Minority
|
— |