Decolonizing Education in Kenya: Examining Colonial Legacies and Reintegrating Indigenous Knowledge and Languages into the School Curriculum

• In Event: Global Citizenship in Motion: Critical Pedagogies of Race, History, and Decolonization

Abstract

Kenya's education system remains deeply influenced by colonial structures that prioritized Western epistemologies while marginalizing indigenous ways of knowing. This research critically examines the enduring impact of colonial legacies on curriculum design, pedagogy, and language use in Kenyan schools. It explores how these legacies continue to shape educational outcomes and identity formation among learners. By centering indigenous knowledge systems and local languages, the study argues for a transformative approach to curriculum reform that aligns education with the cultural, linguistic, and historical realities of Kenyan communities. The paper also considers practical strategies for integrating indigenous content and language instruction in formal education, aiming to foster inclusive, contextually relevant, and socially just learning environments.

Author

• Jane Jebet Bitok, Kenyatta University