This study examined the factors influencing students’ academic performance in Kiswahili poetry
in public secondary schools in Baringo North Sub-County, Baringo County, Kenya. Kiswahili
poetry is a vital component of the Kiswahili syllabus, fostering language mastery, cultural
awareness, and critical thinking. Despite its significance, students' performance in this area has
remained low, prompting the need to investigate underlying causes.The study was guided by
four objectives: to assess the effects of teaching resources on students' academic performance in
Kiswahili poetry; to evaluate the level of student engagement with Kiswahili poetry; to examine
students’ perceptions towards learning Kiswahili poetry; and to suggest interventions to enhance
its instruction. A mixed-method research design was employed, combining qualitative and
quantitative approaches. Data was collected using structured questionnaires administered to 10
Kiswahili teachers and 90 Form Two and Three students sampled from selected public
secondary schools in the sub-county.The findings revealed that inadequate teaching and learning
resources, such as Kiswahili poetry books and multimedia aids, significantly hinder effective
instruction and student comprehension. Both teachers and students (80%) strongly agreed that
the lack of resources negatively affected teaching and learning outcomes. Student engagement
was also found to be low, with only 18% actively participating in poetry lessons. However, the
majority of students held positive perceptions toward Kiswahili poetry, recognizing its role in
language development and cultural appreciation.The study further established that interventions
such as increased access to instructional materials, incorporation of performances and
competitions, and teacher training in poetry pedagogy could improve student interest and
academic performance. The study offers practical recommendations to education stakeholders
aimed at strengthening Kiswahili poetry instruction and calls for further research into the
integration of modern technology and extracurricular approaches to enhance learning.