Kenya Literature Bureau launched the translated version of the Bible from Greek to Kamba in a ceremony graced by Chief Justice Willy Mutunga. The Kikamba Bible - Utianiyo Mweu Wa Mwiyai Yesu Kilisto (the New Testament of the Lord Jesus Christ), is the first translation, from the original Greek, of the entire New Testament by an African Scholar into his own local language.
The translation was by renowned religious scholar, Prof John Mbiti, and will enable many in the Kamba community to read and understand the gospel.
Speaking at the event held on December 19, 2014, Dr Mutunga lauded Prof. Mbiti for the translation.“By this translation, several hidden meaning in the gospel has been preserved,” he said, thanking KLB for offering a platform to publish and distribute the Bible. “
This is a deeper translation of concepts with all the contents that any language carries like culture, history, customs, religion, art, science and health,” Dr. Mutunga added.
The chief justice said Prof Mbiti singularly and without controversy made use of what seems to be a dividing tool to appeal for unity, calling on Kenyans to shun tribalism.
KLB managing director Eve Obara said Prof Mbiti was the “first African to publish with us in 1954.” She thanked him for his commitment to the Bureau since his first title, Mutunga na Ngewa Yake was published.
The executive director of the Akamba Cultural Trust, Mutua Mulonzya, thanked Prof Mbiti for “making the gospel available for masses in Ukambani, who previously found it difficult to interpret the bible done in other languages.” Bibles were previously translated by foreigners or teams led by them in the nearly 770 African languages, mainly from colonial European languages. Rarely were these translations sourced from Greek or Hebrew, the original languages of the Bible.
Makueni Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana, Global Translation consultants at United Bible Societies, Prof. Aloo Osotsi Mojola and Dr. Jean-Claude Loba-Mkole, KLB Board Chairman, Serah Ndege, KLB Board members, among other dignitaries attended the event.