The study sought to assess the effect of mother tongue and students' academic performance in English language in selected secondary schools in Wajir District, Kenya.

The study was conducted in five schools. The specific interest areas on the philosophy and understanding of education by different

scholars were reviewed addressing similar issues.

The researcher used both random :and purposive sampling procedures. Purpose was used to select different ac iYitie s in the area of investigation in order to get required data.

Questionnaires, interviews and Observation were the data collection methods used 1 ) collect data.

The data collected was later recorded in terms of percentages. The recorded data was later edited and interpreted which pursued uniformity and consistence. The results were coded on tables, pie charts and bar graphs which were calculated in percentages. The

researcher found out that many factors like teachers teaching methods which most students may not understand lca0 to students' not understanding English language compared to their mother tongue.

Many recommendations by the researcher were put forward which included teachers' use of a variety of methods to make reading skills more effective in the education system