KSLIA’s Position Paper: - Development of

Sign Language Interpreting Profession in Kenya.

Approved by the Board of Trustees, Officials and Members on August 25, 2007

Abstract
It is the position of the Kenyan Sign Language Interpreters Association (KSLIA) that the
provision of quality and professional interpretation services is a right to all Deaf Kenyan
community. Interpreters – trained, untrained, freelance and employed or working in
various settings throughout Kenya are leaders in delivering a very important service of
interpretation in professional and community settings, including advocating for funding,
and inclusion of these services in programs, projects and policy initiatives at local,
regional, national and international levels. In addition, all interpreters as members of
KSLIA are leaders in facilitating and participating in research, training and
documentation the field of interpretation profession in Kenya. The Kenyan Deaf
community believes that it is a linguistic minority; their native language is Kenyan Sign
Language (KSL) with several variations across the country. They view themselves as
visual people, with their own visual language (KSL), social organization, history, and
mores. They believe they have their own way of being, their own language and culture.
Interpretation is the processes facilitated by bi lingual individuals (interpreters) to enable
this community communicate effectively, accurately and comprehensively with the other
linguistic groups in Kenya. In an era of increased opportunities for Deaf Kenyans to be
involved in various professional, social and academic engagements, there is increased
demand for the deployment of qualified and professional interpreters in fulfillment of the
PWD Act 2003. Through the involvement and rigorous engagement of KSLIA in
research, curriculum development, training, testing, certification and continuing
education Kenya will be a beacon of interpretation excellence in this region and leading
the way in empowering the Deaf community by giving equal access to information,
education and communication for persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Position Statement
It is the position of the Kenyan Sign Language Interpreters Association (KSLIA) that the
provision of quality and professional interpretation services is a right to all Deaf Kenyan
community. Interpreters – trained, untrained, freelance and employed or working in
various settings throughout Kenya are leaders in delivering a very important service of
interpretation in professional and community settings, including advocating for funding,
and inclusion of these services in programs, projects and policy initiatives at local,
regional, national and international levels. In addition, all interpreters as members of
KSLIA are leaders in facilitating and participating in research, training and
documentation the field of interpretation profession in Kenya. KSLIA considers it vitally
important that this information be disseminated to all Interpreters, Deaf Leaders, Sign
Language Trainers, and Teachers of the Deaf, Government and its Agencies, NGOs
working with and for the Deaf in Kenya. It is understood that the strategies and training
model outlined in this paper are starting points based on our current understanding of
Interpretation. As the knowledge base and experience in addressing Interpretation
evolves, future modifications and refinements of the current strategies will necessarily be
required.
KSLIA Position Paper on the Development of Sign Language Interpretation Profession in Kenya 2

Purpose
The purpose of this position paper is to provide:
1. perspectives on the development of Interpretation profession in Kenya in
order to facilitate policy decision-making
2. guidance to Interpreters regarding the vision of KSLIA and to differentiate
KSLIA from all other projects, initiative or organizations involved in the
Interpreting field in Kenya and
3. Guidance to Interpreters on the implementation plans of the KSLIA vision,
coordination of efforts to prevention wastage of resources, measures of
effectiveness and management of the destiny of interpretation profession in
Kenya.

What is Interpreting? Who is an Interpreter?

When hearing person speaks, an interpreter will render the speaker's meaning into the
sign language used by the deaf party. When a deaf person signs, an interpreter will render
the meaning expressed in the signs into the spoken language for the hearing party, which
is sometimes referred to as voice interpreting. This may be performed either as
simultaneous or consecutive interpreting. Skilled sign language interpreters will position
themselves in a room or space that allows them both to be seen by deaf participants and
heard by hearing participants clearly and to see and hear participants clearly. In some
circumstances, an interpreter may interpret from one sign language into an alternate sign
language.

Deaf people also work as interpreters. They team with hearing counterparts to provide
interpretation for deaf individuals who may not share the standard sign language used in
that country. They also relay information from one form of language to another - for
example, when a person is signing visually, the deaf interpreter could be hired to copy
those signs into a deaf-blind person's hand plus include visual information.

Interpreting or interpretation is the intellectual activity that consists of facilitating oral or

sign language communication, either simultaneously or consecutively, between two or
among three or more speakers who are not speaking, or signing, the same language. Note
that the words interpreting and interpretation both can be used to refer to this activity, the
word interpreting is commonly used in the profession and in the translation studies field
in avoiding the other meanings of the word interpretation.

The word interpreter refers to the practitioner who orally translates for parties conversing
in different languages or in sign language. Interpreters must convey not only all elements
of meaning, but also the intentions and feelings of the original, source language speaker.
In fact, the end result is an intermediate stage of spoken communication, which aims to
allowing target language listeners to hear, perceive, and experience the message in a way
that is as close as possible to the experience of those who understand the original, source
language.

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KSLIA Position Paper on the Development of Sign Language Interpretation Profession in Kenya 3

Although the terms translation and interpretation are used interchangeably in everyday
speech, they vary greatly in meaning. Both referring to the transference of meaning
between two languages, however, "translation" refers to the transference of meaning from
text to text —usually written, recorded, or sign language— with time and access to
resources such as dictionaries, glossaries, et cetera. There is a very high standard of
accuracy demanded for translation. On the other hand, interpreting usually occurs "on the
spot", with the clients present, dealing with utterances, though the source language may
be a text. A common misconception, by the general public, is that interpreters must
deliver "verbatim", i.e. word-by-word renditions of what is said in the source language in
order to be accurate. This misconception usually is held by monolingual speakers, and,
occasionally, by lay, self-described bilingual persons. The truth, however, is that, if one
were to attempt a "word-by-word" translation of a sentence, regardless of the listener's
understanding, the end result usually would be unintelligible. There are two modes of
interpretation: Simultaneous (while the utterance is spoken) and Consecutive
(immediately after the utterance is spoken).

Kenyan Interpretation Scene 1960s to 2000

Little information exists about the Kenyan Deaf community prior to 1960. It is however
known that in 1958 concerned hearing Kenyans established the Kenya Society for Deaf
Children (KSDC). In the late 1960s’ and early 70s’ Deaf people from Nyangoma and
Mumias who were believed to be first generation of educated Deaf people in the Deaf
schools came to Nairobi to look for jobs and better life. This is justified when Alan Lane,
Robert Hoffmeister, and Ben Bahan paid visit to Kenya and had to say this on Kenya
deaf community in their book. In addition, graduates of the schools have been mingling
for some three decades now in cities such as Nairobi, where there are reportedly several
hundred Deaf adults.i The numbers of deaf people are known to be large in Nairobi and
while in Nairobi, they went to Kenya Society for the Deaf Children (KSDC) for services,
since there was no national association of the deaf to cater for their rights that time.
KSDC was the only organization for the Deaf though it’s aim was to focus on improving
education of deaf children by establishing schools and looking for donors to sponsor
needy Deaf children, in addition to that KSDC was also offering in-services-training
program for the teachers for the deaf, but not to advocate and serve the deaf adults who
by then were facing serious discrimination at employments and other institutions due to
their deafness.

Interpreter statistics is no different. There has been very minimal documentation on the
existence and/or the work of Interpreters in Kenya. Kenya is not alone in Africa in
struggling to provide access to a quality education, equal access to information for all its
population; one of the government's guiding philosophies for information,
communication and education is that every Kenyan has the inalienable right, no matter
his or her socio-economic status, to basic education. Interpreting is as old as humanity.
More recent pioneers in the area include Ingrid Kurz (1985), who documented the traces
of interpreters in historical and classical texts; and Margareta Bowen et al. (1995) who
labored through historical documents in different Western countries, to cite the presence
and influence of interpreters.

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KSLIA Position Paper on the Development of Sign Language Interpretation Profession in Kenya 4

Bowen and his colleagues documented the development of interpreting from piecemeal
records in ancient Greece and Egypt to the sophisticated profession of today by studying
diplomatic archives, with special reference to a few prominent interpreters in Western
history. As a seminal paper on interpreting history, their work spells out unresolved
obstacles to this kind of research. As a political analyst, Ruth Roland (1999) adopted an
interdisciplinary approach in order to explore the diplomatic roles of interpreters both
East and West. She is one of the first Western researchers to have shown interest in
Chinese interpreting history. The evidence put forward consists of personal diaries and
anecdotes in histories, and they are not easily located or organized. Although the
information presented in the aforementioned literature is somewhat fragmented and
scattered, it does reflect the increasingly focused efforts of researchers. The interest
generated amid hard work reveals the allure and obstacles in researching into the history
of interpreting.

Kenya National Association of the Deaf (KNAD) a national non-governmental

organization was formed and managed by Deaf people in 1986 and registered in 1987
under the Societies Act; KNAD is an ordinary member of the World Federation of the
Deaf. Ann Oginga (the former KSDC director) flew to Sweden and met with the Swedish
Federation of the Deaf (SDR) regarding Kenyan issues and brought to the SDR’s
attention to the current plight of Deaf adults in their post-primary life. She then enlisted
SDR’s assistance into investigating the new social crisis of the Deaf in Kenya. Uldis
Ozolins from SDR came to Kenya and met Solomon Kayia through the Association of
Nairobi Deaf Sports. Some Deaf people attend athletic tournaments to play, of course, but
they and many more are there for another reason: to be with other members of the DEAF-
WORLD (frequently impossible during the work day) and to see old friends who have
become separated after graduation or marriage or a move to a new job. Deaf people were
more interested in sporting activities as that was the only social events that was available
apart from deaf clubs. So it made it easier to reach deaf community. With Solomon’s
assistance, Uldis discovered more information about the Deaf in Kenya. Solomon led
Uldis on a fact finding mission to deaf schools in Kenya. Armed with the information,
Uldis returned to Sweden and met with the board of SDR showed the board his
experiences and information he got from Kenya about Kenya Deaf Community. The
board in turn met with KSDC on the findings and resolutions. KSDC agreed to serve as a
bridge between Sweden Deaf and Kenya Deaf regarding communication. In these
meetings and events there were hearing individuals friends of the Deaf, family members,
social workers etc who learnt Kenyan Sign Language and aided the Deaf in their
communications with the rest of the world.ii

Between 1988-1995 there were seminars, workshops and trainings organized by KNAD
with support from SHIA to a variety of hearing people interested in Sign Language and in
Interpretation (KNAD KSL Workshop Report 1994) these were indeed the very first
recordings of interpretation and interpreter training in Kenya. These trainings were later
followed up by a series of regional trainings happening in Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia,
Malawi and culminating in Kenya in the late 1998. These trainings recorded in
curriculum vitas/resumes of the longest serving interpreters in Kenya were the
foundational trainings shaping the profession in Kenya. During the same time there was a
little of television interpreting in Kenya.

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KSLIA Position Paper on the Development of Sign Language Interpretation Profession in Kenya 5

Religious programs were the very first consumers of interpretation service; various
churches in the city were offering interpreted services mainly in Signed Exact English,
Kenyan Sign Language or a mix of both.

Kenya Sign Language Research Project began almost in the same era. KSLRP was
founded by KNAD with funding from SHIA. KSLRP was founded to work under the
auspices of the University of Nairobi Linguistics department to carryout research in
Kenyan Sign language. The project also teachers KSL, some interpretation and Deaf
culture. This brought about the evolution of interpretation learning and training of several
hearing people who later become interpreters. The Kenya Sign Language Research
Project enlisted interested hearing people to learn KSL the course mainly meant for Sign
Language had and still has a component or unit on interpretation. Around this time the
US Peace Corps revived it’s Deaf Education program. The Deaf Education program
placed American Deaf Education specialists in Kenyan rural schools for the Deaf with
two main aims. First they hoped that the Deaf Education volunteers would model KSL to
the students thus encouraging them to use and own KSL, motivate and work with the
Kenyan Teachers to learn KSL use it in the classroom and eventually sustain the use of
KSL as mode of classroom instruction language.

The Peace Corps program relied heavily on interpreters to carryout it’s pre service
training, which was offered mainly in English with Kiswahili and other local languages
taught depending on the regional distribution of the volunteers. Interpreters where needed
to facilitate the communication between the instructors and the Deaf volunteers. Due to
lack of professional interpreters in Kenya the Peace Corps program invested in one or
two interpreters from the US to work with the local interpreters to build their capacity
and later be able to give better interpretation services to the Deaf volunteers. In 1999
there was a strong group of Deaf volunteers who advocated for funding to fund activities
to build the capacity of local interpreters. This group of volunteers lobbied and finally
secured funding to conduct a one-week workshop for the local interpreters. There were
15 interpreters who attended the training.iii

The Naivasha Declaration; KSLIA Formation and Development

September 2000 during the one week workshop sponsored by the Peace Corps, the
Kenyan Interpreters were challenged to form an association that would be responsible for
three things – First be a social outlet for interpreters to meet and interact informally,
secondly it was to be a place for correcting way ward interpreters enforcing a mutually
agreed code of ethics and finally an avenue for continued professional development
through peer education and role modeling. In the months following this there were a
series of meetings dedicated to the formation of a Kenyan Interpreters Association. These
meetings focused in the drafting of the constitution, code of ethics and contact list of
available or practicing interpreters countrywide. These processes and the outcome of the
one week training and late night meetings are what become to be known in Kenyan
Interpreter community as the Naivasha declaration.

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KSLIA Position Paper on the Development of Sign Language Interpretation Profession in Kenya 6

The Naivasha Declaration states that: -

We the Kenyan Interpreters practicing in various fields agree to: -

a) To secure official recognition by the Government of Interpreters profession
b) Encourage and promote initiatives in improving the standards of SL interpreting
and interpreter training and pay scale of interpreters depending with their level
and skills of interpretation through certification.
c) Cooperation with other recognized bodies concerned in the welfare of the deaf
and in provision of Interpreters throughout the world.
d) Awareness creation on Deafness and SL. Interpreters through publication of
information materials
e) To collect and raise funds for the achievement of goals and objectives through
membership fee, subscription, contribution, gifts or donations, commissions and
payments, fund raising whether in money or otherwise from both members and
non members.
f) To maintain and administer a register of S.L Interpreters in Kenya.

These later become the objectives of the Kenyan Sign Language Association, which was
registered in December of 2000 under the Societies Act. iv

Emergence of Deaf Aid and the KRITD Process

Deaf AID is said to have been formed by a Sign Language Interpreter 6 or 7 years ago. It
is Norwegian and working in Mali, Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya. (IDCS 2006) NORAD
funded an in-depth feasibility study that led to the development of a 3-year country
strategy that has the following aims: -
• Awareness creation
• Academic research to influence policy esp. in education
• Prevention of deafness
Deaf Aid plans to achieve these by being involved in activities such as:-
1. KRITD Project a process outlined in the KRITD White Paper 2004
2. Karen Model School –With a resource center for Deaf Students and their parents
3. Research and Census on Deaf and issues of Deafness
4. Development of IEC materials for Deaf people
5. Working with KIE, KISE and MoE to develop a digital library for Deaf Education
resources

Noble prospects and ideas for the future, KSLIA’s biggest contention is with their goal
number one. The KRITD process the Kenya Registry of Interpreters and Transliterators
for the Deaf Project. In the infamous KRITD white paper Deaf AID reports that the
Interpreters in Kenya are artisans without credential, have no code of ethics and are
offering substandard services to the Deaf in Kenya. The White paper reports - At present,
the profession of interpreter/Transliterator in Kenya is more a vocation than a
profession.v It further suggest that a Kenyan Interpreters’ slot will be added in the
process to join an elaborate list of stakeholders - Two (2) Certified Interpreters nominated
by the board on a public call for application.vi

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KSLIA Position Paper on the Development of Sign Language Interpretation Profession in Kenya 7

The KRITD white paper generated a lot of pressure for Deaf AID to substantiate its
motives, its lack of involvement of local practicing interpreters in the research and
purported implementation of the recommendations in the paper. Since then Deaf Aid has
not budged in its stand. Following pressure from the Deaf and interpreter community
Deaf AID constituted an Advisory board comprising of Deaf leaders and its barrage of
stakeholders. Deaf AID has invited KSLIA to be a stakeholder in the KRITD process
contrary to KSLIA’s demand of being an equal partner with a higher voice and status as
the body representing the Interpreter community in Kenya. Deaf AID has declined to sign
a drafted memorandum of understanding outlining the KSLIA – Deaf AID relationship.
vii

The KRITD White Paper, Other Interpreter Associations and the Politics

The inadequacies of the KRITD White Paper and Process are in a nutshell: -
1. Lack of data to support the basis and fundamental of establishing a KRITD Process.
Lack of a certification process is but one lack in Kenya, interpretation is more than
certification.
2. Lack of inclusion of KSLIA as an equal partner in the process thus denying the
practicing interpreters a voice in shaping their profession. The Kenyan Interpreters
are the sole custodians of the Interpretation expertise, aspirations and experiences.
KSLIA is the official representative body for Interpreters in Kenya.
3. Long list of stakeholders comprise of individuals, agencies that have been antagonists
of Deaf Education in Kenya over the years, how will the same opposes of KSL be the
same supporters of interpretation of a language they do not recognize or know
exist?viii
4. The people consulted during the feasibility studies knew little or nothing about the
field of interpretation thus level of comprehensive representation was compromised.
Citing one instance – Kenya has more interpreters rarely do we see transliteration
happening in the Kenyan context, we see ourselves as Interpreters not Transliteraters.
(KSLIA Members Oct 2006)
5. Rush to fulfill deadlines and not meeting the current needs on the ground. Particularly
the just concluded curriculum development workshop. There should have been a
needs assessment, wider consultation and negotiation.
6. Ignoring the results of the mini survey conducted during the April 2007 workshop is a
clear show of Deaf AID’s lack of commitment to participatory approach to solution
finding and progress. KSLIA would like all these processes to be synchronized and
phased to develop a clearer framework and prioritization of the needs and future
activities.
7. Lack of recognition of the Kenyan Interpreter as the essence and object of any
interpreter training or program. The process has rubbished the existence of
interpreters by calling them quakes, artisans and vocational workers. Interpreters have
been angered and disgusted by these inferences and would like to be recognized as
the professionals in this field with or without certificates.

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KSLIA Position Paper on the Development of Sign Language Interpretation Profession in Kenya 8

There were reports and rumors of other associations for Interpreters in Kenya (ISDC
2006 website which has since been updated). KSLIA has established and can confirm that
there are NO Other Interpreter Associations present in Kenya. There could be small
businesses registered to work with Interpreters BUT not associations. KSLIA would like
all to know that KSLIA is the only legitimate, indigenous and authentic Sign
Language Interpreter Association in Kenya registered under the Societies Act and a
member of WASLI.

KSLIA Official Position and Suggested Way Forward

Despite the lack of funding and perceived inactivity, individual interpreters have been
actively involved in the core business of providing Interpretation and informally
interacting with each other. Collectively as a body of Interpreters in Kenya KSLIA has
made several strides in the professional development of interpretation in Kenya. These
include:-
1. Election of officials Including Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Regional
Representatives (Central, Coast, Rift Valley and Western Regions)
2. Opening of bank account with the Kenya Commercial Bank
3. Drafting of an official Code of Ethics namely the Machakos Draft 2006ix
4. Participation in the two World Association of Sign Language Interpreters
(WASLI) Congresses – South Africa 2004, Spain 2007
5. Creation and Distribution of a Registry of Interpreters to various organizations
working with Interpreters.
6. Participation in Interpreter Training workshops – August 2006, April 2007 and
Jan 2008
7. Official website created with information on Interpretation –
www.kslia.blogspot.com regular email updates and short message services to
members.
8. Circulation of information on how to work with interpreters in various settings,
settling of conflicts and complaints from consumers.
9. Pursuing memorandums of understanding with organizations interested in
developing Sign Language Interpretation in Kenya – working progress with
Global Deaf Connection and Deaf Aid.
10. Become a member of WASLI (World Association of Sign Language Interpreters)
Starting July 2007

Looking forward KSLIA would like to see itself evolve from a dormant bundle of
prospects to a dynamic, vibrant professional body focusing on:-
1. The development of a Certification Process – Research, Training,
Examination, Certification – Issuing and Maintenance, continuing
professional development
2. Enforcing of a strict code of conduct for the various fields of Interpretation,
settling disputes and conflict resolution.
3. Continuing Education for the professional interpreter incorporating new
thinking, best practices and implementation of latest developments informed
by scientific findings and evidence based programming.

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KSLIA Position Paper on the Development of Sign Language Interpretation Profession in Kenya 9

For the sustainability of the programs supporting the development of Interpretation

initiatives, KSLIA proposes to be the long-term avenue for this purpose. Programs and
Projects will never replace the vibrant, evolving local knowledge and power broking
dynamics that characterize the Deaf and Interpreter community in Kenya.

KSLIA proposes the following recommendations as the official position as far as

Interpretation Field is concerned: -
1. Recognition and elevation of KSLIA as the true voice of the Kenyan
Interpreters
2. Conducting a formative assessment to ascertain the correct situation of the
interpreting profession in Kenya.
3. Inclusion of KSLIA in forums, committee, seminars, conferences etc where
Interpretation is being discussed. KSLIA to be involved as a key stakeholder.
4. Though it is important to involve various government agencies in the
formation of policy regarding interpretation or sign language, past experiences
show that it is lengthy, expensive and futile to involve them without proper
representation for instance if a departmental head is involved without the
blessing of the superiors it is futile because they are not the ultimate decision
makers.
5. To impact policy change, there needs to be coordination of efforts. KSLIA
should be the advocate of interpreter issues working hand in hand with other
organizations.
6. The key priorities at present in the Deaf and Interpreter community are:-
Empowerment (role modeling, inclusion and capacity building) -
Infrastructure (climate, policy, political goodwill) - Coordination of
Resources (personnel, finance, priorities)x
7. KSLIA will continue to pursue relationships with like-minded organizations
locally and abroad to further it’s vision for the development of interpretation
profession in Kenya.
8. KSLIA will seek dialogue to foster cooperation and team spirit however
KSLIA may also seek legal redress where it feels it’s rights and constitutional
mandate has been violated.
9. KSLIA continues to seek members to join and contribute finance, expertise
and man power to grow strong and vibrant as a professional body. KSLIA is
therefore calling all practicing interpreters to join and pay up their
membership to make KSLIA a strong professional association.
10. KSLIA is appealing to the stakeholders in the KRITD Process to reevaluate
their support, commitment and priority in light with the above statement and
make policy, decisions and change laws in consideration of the legacy,
history, aspirations and ambitions of the Kenyan Interpreters and the Deaf
community they serve.

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KSLIA Position Paper on the Development of Sign Language Interpretation Profession in Kenya 10

Our aspirations and ambition as key stakeholders and practicing Interpreters is to provide
affordable professional interpretation services to the Deaf community in order to do this
we demand inclusion, empowerment, comprehensive policy backing and coordination of
the scarce resources available for the sustained development of the field of interpretation
in Kenya.

Establishment of the National Interpreter Education Center

In order to train qualified interpreters to better meet the demand from consumers and
consumer organizations, interpreter educators (seasoned Interpreters and Deaf
individuals) must be sufficient in number and be knowledgeable of current best practices.
There are, however, no programs that prepare these interpreter educators to teach the
interpreting process and the skill of interpreting.

To address these issues and to contribute toward the education and training of a sufficient
number of qualified interpreters to meet the communications needs of individuals who
are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and individuals who are Deaf-blind, Kenyan Sign Language
Interpreters Association (KSLIA) proposes to establish priorities for a National
Interpreter Education Center and a coordinated Regional Interpreter Training
Centers working with and through Local Partner Networks (LPN) a formal network of
individuals, organizations, and agencies including consumers, consumer organizations,
community resources, service providers, rehabilitation counselors for the Deaf, and other
appropriate entities with whom the Regional Interpreter Training Center will have
Memoranda of Understanding or other recognized mechanisms for the provision of
educational activities for interpreters at all skill levels.xi

The goal of this initiative is to improve the quality of interpreters in the field by providing
quality educational opportunities with consumer involvement throughout the process and
with a specific focus on interpreters working with a variety of consumers in Kenya.

The objectives of the project will be to:-

a) Train interpreters – Training of Trainers, Mentors and Interpreters in various
fields and settings.
b) Develop and implement a national curriculum, a certification framework and a
certification maintenance mechanism.
c) Develop, distribute and monitor information, education and communication
materials for interpreter training
d) Develop and implementation of Interpretation standards, ethics and guidelines to
strengthen the profession.
e) Ensure the maintenance of the skills of interpreters through continuing education;
continuous testing and certification for quality assurance.
f) Provide opportunities for interpreters to raise their level of competence through
regional networking and collaboration.
g) Strengthen capacity of interpreter associations, clubs or networks regionally,
nationally

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KSLIA envisions that the project which will be implemented through it’s partnership
with KNAD, KSLRP and any other organization that has the interest in furthering the
Interpretation field in Kenya.

KSLIA envisions that these activities will result in the following:-

a) People will change their attitudes towards Sign Language, Interpretation,
Deafness and the Deaf community in Kenya.
b) Communication between hearing people and the Deaf will be enhanced.
c) Deaf people will have more or better access to information, education, political
and socioeconomic activities or interactions.
d) Deaf Kenyans will have qualified and competent interpreters available to give
interpretation services in various settings.
e) Deaf people will gain more confidence in the learning process, self-expression, in
communicating with hearing people and in advocating for their rights.
f) Creation of employment opportunities for Deaf individuals as trainers, and self-
employment opportunities for interpreters after training.
g) Current policies such as the People with Disabilities Act 2003 will be amended to
explicitly recognize the role of the interpreters in the education, information and
communications access to the Deaf in Kenya.

The National Interpreter Education Center modelxii proposed by KSLIA: -

KSLIA
National
Interpreter
Education
Center/Program

Central Western Coast Eastern Rift Valley Northern

Regional Regional Regional Regional Regional Regional
Interpreter Interpreter Interpreter Interpreter Interpreter Interpreter
Training Training Training Training Training Training
Center Center Center Center Center Center

Local Partner Local Partner Local Partner Local Partner Local Partner Local Partner
Networks Networks Networks Networks Networks Networks

The Interpreters’ Target Market include – Deaf individuals, Deaf schools, NGOs, Government, Hospitals,
Churches, Courts, etc

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KSLIA Position Paper on the Development of Sign Language Interpretation Profession in Kenya 12

Future Research
On 26th of April 2007, the Global Deaf Connections, Deaf AID, KSLIA and Sign
Language Service International (SLSI) developed a survey questionnaire and conducted a
mini survey with Interpreters attending a training “Theory to Practice” in Nairobi. This
survey results indicated that there is need to conduct a nationwide research to ascertain:
1. How many interpreters exist or practice in Kenya
2. Who trained them? How long was the training?
3. Where do they work primarily?
4. What issues are they currently affecting their work?
5. What new practices have they adopted to cope with the dynamics of
Interpreting?
There is also a need to get views from Deaf individuals, organizations employing or
working with Interpreters to learn their challenges and available lessons they have learnt
and applied over their interaction with the interpreters.

KSLIA will constantly and consistently raise funds and enter into collaborative
agreements with organizations to realize this future goal.

Submitted by KSLIA 2007 ®

DISCLAIMER
The Kenyan Sign Language Interpreters Association (KSLIA) is providing this position paper on The Development of Sign Language
Interpretation Profession in Kenya to inform practitioners, Deaf Kenyans and other interested parties. The position paper is based on
a review of the existing literature and the observations of an expert Task Force composed of seasoned interpreters, Deaf individuals
and trainers of Interpreters experienced in the field of interpretation, sign language, deaf culture and basic researchers. The position
paper is informational, technical and official in nature and is intended to set standards of interpreter training and practice. KSLIA
cautions all readers that the strategies described in the position paper are practice parameters or guidelines and may be suitable for
every, or any, purpose or application by KSLIA as an indigenous Kenyan entity representing the views and aspirations of the
Kenyan Interpreters. KSLIA holds all the rights of the content, concepts and ideas expressed herein. KSLIA makes no express or
implied warranty regarding the accuracy, content, completeness, reliability, operability, or legality of information contained within the
position paper, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement
of proprietary rights. In no event shall KSLIA be liable to the user of the position paper or anyone else for any decision made or
action taken by him or her in reliance on such information.

References:

i Lane, H., Hoffmeister, R., & Bahan, B. (1996). A journey into the deaf-world. San Diego, CA: DawnSignPress (p192.)
ii History of KNAD by Kakiri 2005
iii History of KSLIA by Owiti 2006 (unpublished)
iv Proceedings from the Naivasha Interpreters Training September 2000
v KRITD white Paper 2005 p. 4,7
vi KRITD white Paper 2005 p. 8
vii Minutes of meeting between KSLIA/KRITD 2006.
viii various documents cite the struggle of KSLRP/KNAD in discussions with KIE/KISE 1991-2006
ix
( http://www.wasli.org/indexNEW.htm and KSLIA Code of Ethics 2006)
x Halting the masquerading hand of Benevolence: Empowering the Deaf community in Kenya by Owiti 2007

(Unpublished)
xi Empowering the Deaf Community through Provision of Quality Interpreting by Irako and Owiti June 2006 (Submitted

to the Bid Network Competition 2007)

xii Irako E. S. Beacon Concept, Kampala 2004

Submitted by KSLIA 2007 ®