Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has lauded the efforts of Bible Translation & Literacy (BTL) Kenya for their role in preserving indigenous languages and promoting literacy across Kenya.
Speaking to a crowd of church leaders, educationists, corporate partners, and enthusiastic runners and walkers, CS Ogamba emphasized the transformative power of language and scripture in shaping society’s moral fabric.
“The values espoused in the Bible; love, kindness, good neighbourliness, generosity, humility, and honour are worth promoting,” said Ogamba. “This Run is more than a fundraiser; it’s an investment in community identity and moral values.”
BTL Kenya, a faith-based organization committed to translating the Bible into Kenya’s indigenous languages, has so far completed six full Bibles and 11 New Testaments.
According to CS Ogamba, the organization is currently working on 20 more languages in Kenya and another nine in Tanzania and South Sudan.
The Run aimed to raise Ksh5 million to support the translation of the Bible into languages spoken by minority communities including the Ogiek, Rabai, Ribe, Samburu, Daasanach, and Rendille.
Ogamba highlighted the cost of translation, noting that it takes approximately Ksh35 million to complete a New Testament over ten years, and about Ksh4,000 to translate a single verse.
“It is expensive, but it’s a worthy cause,” he stated. “Every verse translated brings hope, light, and cultural preservation.”
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting indigenous languages, as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya, by supporting institutions like BTL in their noble mission.
The CS further commended all who turned up in solidarity with the cause, encouraging Kenyans to embrace and uplift linguistic diversity as a national treasure.
