By Ogova Ondego
1). Kitabu Kitakatifu was the first translation of the Bible among the abaLuyia
2). Kitabu Kitakatifu was produced in Lulogooli, the language of the Maragoli
3). Kitabu Kitakatifu translation commenced in 1951 and was completed in 1952
4). The translation was part of efforts by missionaries and the Bible Society of Kenya to provide scriptures in local languages
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5). Kitabu Kitakatifu translation was to facilitate teaching, conversion and literacy by missionaries of Friends Africa Mission
6). Friends Africa Mission had established a base at Kaimosi among the Maragoli
7). The missionaries needed the scriptures in local languages to ease communication
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8). The Friends Africa Mission thus made Lulogooli, the local language, the primary language for their missionary literature and bible translation efforts
9). The Bible was thus first translated into Lulogooli primarily because it was the language of Maragoli, the area where Quaker missionaries (Friends Africa Mission) had set up their base
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11). Kitabu Kitakatifu is available online through Bible Society of Kenya and YouVersion App
12). Kitabu Kitakatifu (logooli) can be read and listened to digitally
13). Kitabu Kitakatifu (Logooli) remains the primary scriptural text for the Luyia community
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10). The 8.5 million strong Luyia community of western Kenya consists of 16 families or clans with the Maragoli (2.5 million), being the most populous
11). Other Luyia dialects into which the Bible had now been translated into include Lunyore (2001), Lubukusu (2010), Lusamia (2011), Lwisukha/Lwidakho/Lutirichi (2014) and Oluluyia (i.e Olutsotso/ Olumarama/Olushisa/Oluwanga, 2016).
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