How did Kenyan Sign Language emerge and spread?

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Documented use of the Sign language can be traced to 1958 and the early 60s when the first schools and units for the deaf were established. Although the official policy, then, advocated for the use of speech and speech-reading, the hearing impaired learners used KSL amongst themselves both in class and other contexts.
In 1985 Dr. Michael Ndurumo, a graduate of Gallaudet university came to Kenya and strongly advocated for the use of Sign Language, SE and SEE in the education of the Hearing Impaired in Kenya.
A research conducted in 1986 in schools for the deaf revealed that the use of sign language was a better means of communication compared to the oral means of communication. This finding led to the development of the first draft of Kenyan Sign Language for schools by KIE.
In 1986 Machakos school for the deaf was started as a pilot school for Total communication a method that incorporated signs, finger spelling and speech among others. In 1988, the government introduced the use of Kenyan sign Language and Sign Systems in all schools and units for the deaf in Kenya under the philosophy of Total Communication.
Through the influence of Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), Kenya National Association of the Deaf (KNAD), Kenya Society for the Deaf Children (KSDC) and the Kenya Institute of Education (KIE) the Kenyan Sign Language draft has been revised and new and emerging signs used in schools for the deaf and the deaf community have been incorporated in the fourth draft currently in use.
Through the schools (innovation centres), there has been an increase of Kenyan Sign Language vocabulary through sign invention. The signs spread through inter-school transfers, sports and games, and also through rural-urban migration. Today the Kenyan Sign Language is recognised and is officially used as a language of instruction in the Educational setting. It has been approved by the Kenya Institute of Education (KIE) and is taught as a subject in schools for the Hearing Impaired.

Titany answered the question on May 12, 2022 at 09:33

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How did Kenyan Sign Language emerge and spread?

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