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What language do they speak in Garissa county?

In Garissa County, northeastern Kenya, the language used there demonstrates the culture, spiritual practices and history of the people living there. The main language used in Garissa is Somali which means it is one of the few places in Kenya where people mainly speak a non-Bantu language during their daily activities.

1. Somali – The Main Language in Garissa

The main language in Garissa County is Somali and it is spoken by the ethnic Somali people, who make up most of the population. Somali clans, for example the Ogaden group from the Darod clan family, are what most residents belong to.

Somali is used in:

  • Daily conversations in homes and markets
  • Religious settings (alongside Arabic)
  • Community meetings and cultural events
  • Local media (e.g., Somali-language radio stations)

The Maxaa-tiri dialect of Somali, which is also the standard variety used in Somalia, is the dominant spoken form in Garissa. This distinguishes it from other Somali dialects such as Maay-Maay, which are spoken by smaller groups in the Horn of Africa.

While Somali is not one of Kenya’s two official languages (English and Swahili), it is widely recognized as a regional and community language in northeastern Kenya and is actively used in local governance, especially in Garissa County. This makes Somali a de facto regional language in the area, supported by its strong cultural and demographic presence.

2. Swahili (Kiswahili) – National Language

The national language in Kenya is Swahili and it serves to unite people from various ethnic backgrounds in conversations.

In Garissa:

  • Swahili is mostly used in cities, for example Garissa Town, during business, studying and when interacting across ethnicities.
  • Even if Swahili is not spoken perfectly by most rural people, everyone understands it.

Swahili is taught first to students in primary grades and English gradually takes over from the third grade onward.

3. English – Official Language

English is Kenya’s official language, used in:

  • Education, particularly in secondary and tertiary institutions
  • Government administration and legal proceedings
  • Formal communication, newspapers, and documentation

The majority of students, professionals and people living in towns in Garissa are fluent in English. In rural areas, people usually use more Somali and Swahili.

4. Arabic – Religious Use

Though most people don’t converse in Arabic every day, it has significant value in Garissa because most citizens are Muslim.

  • It can be heard in mosques, at Qur’anic schools and during Islamic sermons.
  • Many local people, mainly men and those specializing in religion, know how to read and write Arabic texts, even though talking the language is less common.

Conclusion

The main language spoken in Garissa County is Somali, reflecting the region's dominant ethnic group and cultural identity. Most people use Swahili and English at school and in government and Arabic is mainly used for religious purposes. The presence of many languages in Garissa makes this town stand out in Kenya’s rich variety of languages.

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