The first ever complete Bible to be translated into the Igikuria language was received with gladness by the Abakuria community and Church leaders at the Kehancha stadium on 8th April 2022 in Migori County.
This was a great milestone for the Abakuria community as the translation took 39 years of hard work and dedication from the translators who hail from Kenya and Tanzania.
Bible Society of Kenya General Secretary Mrs. Elizabeth Muriuki and Mr. Alfred Kimonge General Secretary Bible Society of Tanzania officiated the launch of the Bible. “The launch of this Bible is very special to me personally as it has been a journey of resilience. My desire is that this Bible will positively transform the Kuria community spiritually, economically and that it will be taught to children so that future generations to grow knowing the truth.”Said Mrs. Muriuki. Mrs. Muriuki thanked all the donors and partners for their support towards this project adding that many lives will be transformed.
The Bible Societies of Kenya and Tanzania launched the New Testament in 1996, the Igikuria Book of Deuteronomy, and Malachi in 2016 at Mabhera Geton’ganya and it was very well received by the Kuria community. Later, the book of Proverbs and Nehemiah was published.
The Igikuria Bible will be the 23rd complete Bible to be launched by the Bible Society of Kenya and the 28th community to have the full bible in Kenya. Kenya has over 53 language groups, 10 communities have New Testaments and 9 have portions of Scripture. The current ongoing Bible translation projects include Banyala, Mwimbi Muthambi, and Teso languages.
Deputy President Willliam Ruto’s wife, Her Excellency Rachel Ruto graced the launch and distribution of the new Bibles noting that this Bible will unite the Kuria community and draw them closer to God.
“This is a new journey to spiritual transformation, and will no doubt change the community’s way of life and look at the world through a different lens” She said.
The Bible translation project had 17 reviewers from both Kenya and Tanzania who played a crucial role in checking the text to ensure the language used is proper Igikuria.
This Bible which targets more than 934,000 Igikuria speakers is available in two editions: the Protestant edition and the Deuterocanonical edition for the Catholic faithful and can also be read online via the You version app.
We could tell the excitement as locals got copies of the Igikuria Bible for themselves. Mary Robi Nsongo shared her joy of getting a copy that would enable her to become more intimate with God. ‘’ This is a jubilant day for us Kuria people and we can’t help but dance in joy’’ She said.
We thank God for a successful Bible launch and trust that the Abakuria community in Kenya and Tanzania will intensify their knowledge of God’s word.
