People from Central Kenya are known to be fond of addressing everyone they spot around including total strangers in their mother tongue (Gikuyu language).
The fella could for instance be asking for directions in a town where he/she is very aware that some people may not be Kikuyu speakers but will still go ahead and address you in the Gikuyu language.
It, therefore, begs the question, why are Central Kenya people fond of using their language everywhere and on everyone?
1. Assumption that every other person is a Kikuyu or understands the language. Many of those who speak to you in Gikuyu language and you are not a Kikuyu, should never offend you.
They see you as a brother or sister who understands the language. Just pardon them and calmly tell them that you do not understand the language.
2. Love their language. The English, French and other foreign languages that we speak so proudly and sometimes are even used to gauge our level of education and civilization are someone else's mother tongue.
If we could encourage the growth and development of our indeginous languages to be even spoken internationally, the better.
3. It is the only language they can express themselves in. Some of those who will speak to you in Kikuyu may not have any other options with them.
The old folks that comprises of our grandmothers and grandfathers never saw the door of a classroom to learn that Swahili, English or French that you so easily speak in. Others are school dropouts who never got the opportunity to furnish their Swahili or English like you.
4. 'Lugha ya Pesa'. Some Kikuyus who can ably express themselves in several other languages will still express themselves in Kikuyu anywhere they go irrespective of the audiences.
Reason? They say Kikuyu is the only 'language of money, deals and wealth-making'. How true that is, only such people can tell us.