The Banyala New Testament will be launched on March 6th 2026 at Nvakholo Satellite Grounds from 10:00am.

The need to have the Bible in Lunyala stems from the uniqueness of the Lunyala language, both in speaking and writing that made the use of the other Luhya dialects very confusing and sometimes misleading. For years, the Luhya Bibles used were English, Kiswahili, Lumaragoli, Luwanga, Luluhya central and any other translation preferred by the person.

There are two groups that speak Lunyala among the Luhya. Avanyala va Mukhamba who occupy the northwestern part of Kakamega County and the Abanyala ba Maero, who occupy the Budalangi area of Busia County.

The Banyala of Kakamega are sometimes referred to as Abanyala ba Ndombi. This is because of a powerful colonial chief, Ndombi wa Namusia who reigned with an iron fist among the Banyala. He was succeeded by his son Andrea Ndombi.

Although originally one people with the Abanyala ba Maero (Busia), Avanyala va Mukhamba have since acquired their own cultural identity and phonology. The Mukhamba group migrated eastwards from Busia centuries ago fleeing interclan wars and floods to first settle Eutieri and spreading through the Navakholo area of Kakamega. They share the constituency of Lurambi with the neighbouring Abatsotso. According to recorded genealogy, Mukhamba was their earliest known ancestor although his son Munyala founded the sub-nation.

The Process of getting the Bible in Lunyala started from the discordances in the words used in vernacular when Banyala were discussing Bible matters; it required proficiency in the other Luhya dialects to get the meaning. A section of the Lunyala speakers therefore put this need to the Bible Society of Kenya to help translate the Bible into Lunyala. The Bible Society of Kenya demanded for evidence, and signatures were collected from pastors all over the country who were speakers of the dialect. The Bible Society of Kenya agreed to help, and translators were sourced who would steer this process from among the Lunyala speakers. Another group from different churches was chosen to review the work that the translators had done; designated as Reviewers representing the different dialectical variances that exist among the Lunyala speakers.

The process of translation started in 2018 with three translators and a team of reviewers. The Lunyala Luke portion was launched in Navakholo in 2019, and the community received this with much appreciation. It has been eight years of hard work and commitment to bring this New Testament to fruition. The translators continue to work on the Old Testament.