More than 75% of the Kenyan population is below the age of 35, and most of them speak Sheng.
So in one way or the other, you have to learn at least basic Sheng if you want to appeal to this demographic.
How do I go about it?
We've got you.
The beauty and, to some, the downside of the Sheng language is that it is constantly evolving.
Thanks to the hard work of the Sheng lovers, who add tens of new words daily, we have the latest and most popular words of 2023 and their meanings.
Trending Sheng words and their meaning
Below is a list of 50 trending and most searched-for sheng words and their meaning:
| Sheng Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kudada deki | A curse word with no grammatical meaning, usually used in place of the more explicit k*m*m*make or jikute |
| Kuramba | To steal |
| Nginyo | porn |
| Aluta | To feel good. Mostly after taking weed. |
| Bazu | Someone who commands respect or a boss. |
| Mbogi genje | Derived from two sheng words. Mbogi (which means group or crew) and genje which means trouble. Used to mean a badass crew/group. A crew that means business and is ready to bring trouble.
|
| Pedi | Drug distributor |
| Unangam | Always used as a question to mean do you know or understand? |
| Nyongi | Weed |
| Brejin | Brother |
| Baroda | Money. Derived from a name of a bank called Bank of Baroda |
| Luku | Dress smart |
| Dwanzi | Stupid person |
| Riswa | It is used to show shock and disbelief. |
| Arosto | Crave for cigarette or drugs |
| Njwang'a | Dick |
| Taliban | To be strong, focused and unshakable in a tough situation |
| Mlami | White person. |
| Mayolo | foreign land
|
| Kutundura | to confuse |
| Moshatha | Upcountry |
| Fyat | Abnormal person |
| Ng'am | Know |
| Nditni | Inside |
| Warena | Fire |
| Kumedi | To meditate. |
| Mambaru | police or detectives especially from DCI. (Department of criminal investigations) |
| Wanjapi. | Photo. |
| Mbwegze | two |
| Gwangi | Thug |
| Rizla | Lighter |
| Chuom | Hide |
| Mashiro | Menses |
| Chums | Money |
| Fwaka | Cigarette, tobacco |
| Nyoso | easy |
| Ngese | Ngese Means Gay |
| Sanse | Police officer |
| Sponyo | Sponsor |
| Chaji | Friend. |
| Uwaganis | Nonsense |
| Riambez | Girl |
| Mtiaji | snitch |
| Bugde | To go |
| Bie | Good |
| Sankaro city | Nairobi city |
| Bukla | Club; an entertainment venue that is open from the evening until early morning, having facilities such as a bar and disco or other entertainment. |
| Ndenga | Gun |
| Mristi | Buyer |
| Mkuu | A leader |
| Mbosho | |
| Vako | Lie |
