Nurse Judy calls out parents who act like their kids can’t speak Swahili
By Paulette Mboga, October 12, 2025Content creator Nurse Judy has called out parents who act like their children cannot speak Swahili.
In a message shared online on Sunday, October 12, 2025, she expressed her disappointment with adults who discourage their kids from using the language, saying such behaviour creates unnecessary shame around Swahili.
Nurse Judy used her own children, Teiyan and Dashan, as examples while discussing the importance of language preservation. She shared that she always reminds her daughter, Teiyan, to stay fluent in Swahili even as she spends time abroad.
According to her, being able to speak both Swahili and English fluently is something to be proud of. Nurse Judy resides in the US, while her husband and kids stay in Tanzania.
“I told Teiyan to never lose her Swahili even when she comes to the USA,” Judy said. “The way she switches is beautiful. I saw a young content creator around her age based here in America. She speaks her Swahili so well and so fluently, and also speaks her English so, so well and even a little Kikuyu. Love to see it.”
The mother of two went on to call out her son, Dashan, for refusing to speak Swahili at home. She said she and her family often correct him when he insists on responding in English instead of Swahili.
“Dashan ndo hujifanya hapendi kuongea Swahili, and I hate it,” she wrote. “I used to hate it in adults or parents wenye hujifanya watoto wao hawajui kuongea Swahili. We keep lecturing Dashan for refusing to respond back in Swahili when we talk to him in Swahili. I really hate it.”
Her comments reflect a growing concern among Kenyans in the diaspora and locally, where some children are reportedly losing touch with their native language. Nurse Judy emphasised that speaking Swahili should not be seen as a sign of being less educated or less global.
Instead, she believes it is part of cultural pride and identity that children should hold onto.
Nurse Judy’s strong stance adds to ongoing discussions about balancing modern lifestyles with cultural preservation.