Time to Restructure Kenya’s Anthem?

 Time to Restructure Kenya’s Anthem?

Just like many other Kenyans who for the sole reason for patriotism and association with the Kenyan National Anthem, it did not escape my thinking that the Kiswahili version of the National Anthem should be restructured.

Upon the promulgation of the new constitution in August 2010, Kiswahili was made an official language alongside the English language, which until mid last year was the only Kenyan official language. This means that whatever the document or speech in Swahili shall be officially recognized.

Every time the National anthem is sung in Swahili it sounds to connote something different from the English version.

Take a look: In the first and second line of the first stanza the translation in the first stanza is completely distorted;

English version

Oh God of all creation                                                                                                 

Bless this land and nation

Justice be our shield and defender

May we dwell in Unity

Peace and Liberty

Plenty be found within our boarders

 Correct Kiswahili translation;

Ee Mungu muumba vyote

Bariki taifa/nchi yetu

Haki iwengao na mlinzi

Natuishi kwa umoja

Amani na Uhuru

Tupate ustawi na mafanikio

Even if it means acquiring rhythm, it is totally unfair to refer to the Almighty God as “it” (ilete) in the current Swahili version. God is not just an ordinary person but a supreme being and should therefore command respect.

It beats logic to refer to God as it. Instead it should be “He”, the correct reference depending on the seniority of purpose it should be’ Alete’. As much as I pay glowing tribute to the composers of the National anthem who include; Thomas Kalume, Washington Omondi, George Sinoga-zake and Graham Hyslop, I think it is time for a new rebirth and need for a regeneration of our national anthem.

It should be realized that with the amendments to our initial Swahili version, it should retain its honour and lend itself to the harmonization and orchestration for performance by orchestras, the police and the military bands. The music thence should be able to fit both the English and Swahili lyrics.

I therefore in my capacity as a Kenyan who is allowed to voice my own opinion, that it is important that a commission of competent multilingual linguists who understand both languages be appointed, to redraft the national anthem.

Shadrack Mbaka,

Nairobi based journalist