Friday, May 15, 2026
- A video of Supreme Court Justice Njoki Ndung’u revealing that she does not
speak her indigenous Kikuyu language has sparked debate on social media.
In the clip, Ndung’u explained that her father banned the
use of vernacular at home, insisting on English to secure educational and
professional success.
“A lot of people ask me why I don’t speak Kikuyu. I can
understand it, I don’t speak it,” she said, recalling how her father wanted
them to master “the King’s English.”
She added that this decision shaped her trajectory, though
it once limited her political ambitions.
In 2007, she declined a parliamentary run in Kabete, telling
her father, “I can’t be an MP in Kabete if I can’t speak Kikuyu.”
Her father joked he wished he had known language would
matter, but Ndung’u laughed that the Supreme Court does not conduct business in
Kikuyu.
The revelation has drawn mixed reactions online.
The viral moment coincides with President William Ruto
launching Ndung’u’s candidature for the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Seeking election for the 2027–2036 term, she was nominated
after a competitive Judicial Service Commission evaluation highlighting her
work in constitutional reform and gender justice.
At the launch, Ndung’u emphasized the need for a stronger
African voice in global jurisprudence, arguing that international law often
overlooks African case references.
The ICC election is set for December 2026, with Kenya
lobbying for support.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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