Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba held an inaugural run for the Bibleless in Machakos school for Bible Translation and Literacy (BTL) with the goal of raising funds to support the Bible translation and literacy work among Kenyan communities.
The CS who spoke after flagging off the BTL 5th edition of the run for the Bibleless acknowledged the BTL organization on their determination and focus on developing indigenous languages for small language communities in Kenya and completing six full Bible translations and eleven New Testament chapters. "There is a pressing need to ensure every tribe in the country receives a copy of the Holy Book in their native language, which is important for cultural preservation and deeper understanding of the Bible," said Ogamba.
Ogamba highlighted the critical goal of the event, which was to raise at least Sh5 million to aid the translation of the Bible into local dialects such as Ribe, Rabai, Ogiek, Samburu, and Rendilee, noting that translating the entire New Testament can take 10 years and cost approximately Sh35 million. "It is expensive but a worthy cause because every verse translated brings hope to communities and cultural preservation," pointed Ogamba.
The CS emphasized on the government's support for programs that merge education and spiritual empowerment. "Translation of the Bible into indigenous languages is not just spiritual; it is cultural preservation and a boost to literacy.
