Kariuki, Muriuki, Chepkoech, Awuor, Nganga, Mburu, Kiplagat, Kimani, Njoroge, Kipchumba, Kamau, Ndungu, Komo, Muya, and many other unfamiliar looking names have recently become commonplace names at Jefferson State Community College. (Over the past few years more than 300 Kenyans have been admitted to Jefferson State.)

I am not really an expert on Kenyan naming practices, but here are a few observations that may help with Kenyan names:

• Most Kenyan names are pronounced exactly as they are spelled. Just remember that "i" and "e" are pronounced like those letters in such English words as "bit" and "get"; that "a" is nearly always pronounced like the "o" in "got"; and that "u" and "o" are pronounced like those same letters in the words "blue" and "gold."
• Apparently unpronounceable combinations at the beginnings of words, such as "Mb", "Nj", "Nd", and "Ng" are simply pronounced like the second letter of the combination. For example, Nganga is pronounced "gahngah" and Mburu is pronounced "booroo."
• Most Kenyans have three names, such as, Anne Wairimu Kimani or John Ndungu Kamau or Esau Kipchumba Kiplagat. At home, Anne Wairimu Kimani might call herself Anne Wairimu on some occasions and Anne Kimani on other occasions. When you are confused about what name a Kenyan uses in America, ask the Kenyan to state all three names or to write the name in the American fashion, i.e., Anne W. Kimani.

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