By Mike Mulure
When I started learning Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) this year, I didn’t realize I was stepping into a whole new world — one where silence speaks volumes, and every gesture tells a story.
For a long time, sign language felt like a luxury skill — something nice to know but not exactly necessary. That changed the day Blackboy Media signed an MOU with the Kenya Sports Federation of the Deaf (KSFD) to become their media and communication partner. Suddenly, communication wasn’t just my profession — it became a bridge I had to build in real time connecting these two worlds.
Since June, I’ve been learning KSL, and let me tell you — it’s been beautiful, humbling and at times, hilariously challenging. I’ve had moments when I got a sign wrong and changed the entire meaning (thank God for patient interpreters!). But every day, I grow more fascinated. Sign language isn’t just a language — it’s a lifestyle. It’s about expression, empathy and connection.
Working with sign language interpreters has made communication smoother and their presence has been a blessing. But it has also made me reflect: What does it feel like to live in a world that doesn’t always listen? The Deaf community constantly navigates barriers that most hearing people never even notice — from daily conversations to public services. And yet, their resilience and positivity are unmatched.
Through my work with Team Kenya Deaf, who are preparing to represent the country at the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo, I’ve witnessed something extraordinary — athletes who compete not for sympathy, but for glory. They’ve welcomed me with open arms (and quick hands!), and their coaches and leaders have shown me what true teamwork looks like.
This journey has reminded me that inclusion begins with curiosity — the simple willingness to learn. Technology is helping bridge communication gaps, yes, but nothing beats a genuine human effort to understand one another.
So here’s my invitation to everyone:
Learn sign language. Not because you have to, but because you get to. It’s one of the most exciting, expressive and unifying languages on earth I have come to believe.
As for me, I’m still learning, still signing, and still smiling through the process. Because in this journey with the Deaf community, I’ve discovered something profound — sometimes, the most powerful conversations happen in silence.
