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Mwai Kibaki’s grandson, Sean Andrew, opens up on his struggle with Swahili
20th September, 2026 10:56 AM
Former late president Mwai Kibaki’s grandson, Sean Andrew, has opened up about his struggle with Swahili, admitting that he avoided studying the language while growing up speaking English.
Sean said he was never good at Swahili and deliberately stayed away from it when he had the chance. He explained that English was the main language he used while growing up because his friends and the people around him also spoke English.
“Kidogo. I didn’t study Swahili. I didn’t study it. I avoided it like the plague; I was never good at it. I grew up speaking English; everyone around me, friends. We just spoke English,” Sean said on Sunday, September 20, 2026, while speaking to Alex Mwakideu.
He acknowledged that his limited knowledge of Swahili can be embarrassing, although he said he knows enough of the language to get by. Sean also said he understands more Swahili than he can speak.
“I get that it is a bit embarrassing. I know just a little to survive, and I understand more; it is very much like Kikuyu. Like greetings, all those things,” Sean said.
Sean explained that his experience with Swahili started in school, where he found the subject difficult. He said he struggled particularly when he had to read, describing those moments as frustrating for both himself and his teachers.
School days and Swahili
The grandson of former President Mwai Kibaki said he would sometimes delay when it was his turn to read in Swahili class. He said the subject was not one of his strengths and that he eventually chose another language when he got the opportunity.
“In school, before electives, I just suffered through Swahili. Often, when it came to reading, when it came to me, I would stall, and that would frustrate my teachers. It was not the best subject. I went on to French instead,” Sean said.
Sean also explained that he was not known by a different name among the people close to him. He said his friends and partner simply call him Sean, while also introducing himself as Sean.
While Sean said he knows only a little Swahili, he noted that he understands more of it. He compared some parts of the language that he understands to Kikuyu, particularly simple expressions such as greetings.
Sean said speaking English with those around him meant that Swahili did not become a language he was comfortable using.
