Browse African Slang

Police (literally “those who carry” – referring to police trucks).

Wabunge (Members of Parliament)

Wabunge wanaoenda upande wa pesa (MPs who switch sides for money)

Wakati ni thamani (Time is valuable)

Wakenya ni hodari (Kenyans are great)

Mwanasheria wa kesi (Case lawyer)

Wakulima wadogo (Small scale farmers)

Wazazi (Parents)

Wamnyonyez - kitendo cha kula kitu tamu (Lick it - act of enjoying something sweet)

Plural for 'guys/dudes', from Swahili wazee but used to mean peers (not actually elders).

Kenyan slang for money laundering and fake money schemes. It became famous after media exposés of cartels that 'wash' di...

“Light the fire,” meaning to start something (often trouble or party energy).

Watoto (Children)

Watoto wa jirani (Neighbor's children)

Watoto wanaoenda shule (School children)

Wazee (Elders)

Wazi (Clear/obvious)

“You’ve done well” or “you killed it.”

Hali ya hewa isiyotabirika (Confusing weather)

Kikundi cha ustawi (Welfare group)

Uko vizuri kwa Kipokot (You're fine in Pokot)

Westlands

Wewe ni mjinga (You're a fool)

Wezi (Thieves)

Eneo la WiFi (WiFi zone)

Juma (Week)

Ulinzi wa mashahidi (Witness protection)

Pole! (Sorry!)

Expression of amazement or excitement.

Kazi ya shule (Work study)

Mfanyakazi mwenza (Workmate)

Mbaya zaidi (Worse)

Lo! kwa lugha nyingi (Oh! in many languages)

Mtoto wa kiume kwa Kiluo (Son in Luo)

Kazi kwa Kikamba (Work in Kamba)

Uko vizuri kwa Kikuyu (You're fine in Kikuyu)

Kazi kwa Kikuyu (Work in Kikuyu)

Where?

Calling everyone's attention.

Work, job, or task.