Kenyans To Learn How To Speak Spanish After Govt Deal

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alfred Mutua on Thursday, April 27 announced that the government signed a deal with Spain to have Kenyans trained to speak the Spanish Language.

CS Mutua travelled to Spain where he held bilateral discussions with Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation Jose Manuel Albares.

Among the highlights of the bilateral talks included the deal which will see the Spanish language formally introduced in the country so that Kenyans can benefit from language exchange and scholarship programmes in Spain on top of their understanding of English and Swahili as Kenya's common languages.

Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Alfred Mutua and Spain’s minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation Jose Manuel Albares show deals they signed in Spain on April 27, 2023. /FACEBOOK.ALFRED MUTUA

"Top of the agenda was signing a memorandum of understanding that will see Kenyans trained in the Spanish language even as we train them in English. This will enhance Spanish as a major language of study in Kenya and open up opportunities for Kenyan youth abroad," he revealed in a statement.

According to Rosetta Stone, an American education technology software company, Spanish is the official language in two countries and has over 500 million speakers worldwide.

Learning Spanish would thus open Kenyans up to job opportunities in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries. Currently, the Spanish language is taught in a section of schools and universities in Kenya.

Spain is also common in conversations within the country as it is not only known for cities such as Madrid and Barcelona but also on a football angle as two of the biggest football clubs in the world, Real Madrid and Barcelona, are in Spain.

In line with the Spanish language integration, Mutua revealed talks surrounding the awarding of scholarships to Kenyan students to study in Spain.

"I requested for scholarships for our Kenyan students and they promised to avail them as soon as such opportunities arise. In the meantime, we agreed on an immediate exchange of diplomats to study in Spain and in Kenya," he added.

Also covered was a bilateral deal which would see an overpass built along Ngong Road as well as the improvement of the country's railway system.

"We also discussed the various partnerships and commitment by Spain towards Kenya which includes funds for improving our railway system and roads (in particular an overpass at Junction Mall area of Nairobi’s Ngong road)," he added.

Mutua and Albares also reviewed the trade partnership between Kenya and Spain where 1,000 companies sell their products to Kenya every year, as well as discussed how Kenyans can sell their products in Spain.

They also discussed the ongoing war in Sudan, the dynamics around it and the need for a sustained cease-fire in Sudan, with Kenya requested for Spain's support for a Nairobi-based mediation process for Sudan.

Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Alfred Mutua speaks with Spain’s minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation Jose Manuel Albares in Spain on April 27, 2023. /FACEBOOK.ALFRED MUTUA