KSL has been influenced by a number of different sign languages and sign systems, but the largest influences are probably American Sign Language and Signed English. This has probably been due to policies enacted by institutions throughout Kenya that train teachers in sign language, and personal and professional exchanges with Americans and American educational institutions.

KSL is now beginning to gain recognition among administrators and policymakers working with deaf school. The manual alphabet is similar to the American manual alphabet. Kenyan Deaf say an old Kenyan system once existed for the manual alphabet, but it is no longer used or understood.

Teachers in deaf schools are now encouraged to use KSL when teaching general subjects and a form of Signed English when teaching English. Teachers are also supposed to teach their students KSL. Unfortunately, many of the teachers lack proficiency in KSL.

The Kenyan government has not yet officially recognized KSL as the language of the Deaf. In the draft Constitution that was proposed in 2005, KSL was to be recognized alongside English and Swahili as the languages of Kenyans. (The proposed Constitution was not approved.)

A KSL Dictionary is available in both print and CD. They are available through the Kenyan Sign Language Research Project.