The International day of Sign Language was marked on 23rd September, 2022 via a Hybrid Webinar cohosted by Kenya National Library Service, Thika Branch and Mount Kenya University. It attracted participants from across Kenya and Zambia. The main presenter was the Principal Librarian, KNLS Thika Branch Madam Miriam Mureithi and the interpreter was Rose Nyambura (an MKU alumna).
The Theme of the Hybrid Webinar was “Sign Language Unite us”. The motivation behind marking the International Day of Sign Languages was informed by the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities) hub which hosted at MKU. As a Hub, the University is expected to mark a number of international days and it is left free to determine on modalities of doing this.
Given the aforementioned background, and in line with the existing partnership between MKU and the KNLS, Thika Branch, a decision was arrived at to co-host the Webinar. Currently, MKU and KNLS are working towards renewing their partnership agreement to orient it with the global realities in the areas of knowledge generation, knowledge management, innovation and research needs, ICT, and the dynamic wider community’s needs. The Webinar participants were informed of KNLS’s strategies across the country of reaching out to as many persons as they can in giving their services.
In some parts of Kenya Mobile Library services are used using diverse means of transport including motor bikes and donkeys. KNLS Thika Branch offers sign language to the youth at a very low cost. They marked the month of September 2022 as the Sign Language month where they went out to reach out to as many youths as possible. Many of the youths who benefitted in September 2022 were MKU Students.
