Kenya Slang Dictionary

Kenyan slang is dominated by Sheng - a vibrant street language born in Nairobi's Eastlands that fuses Swahili and English with words from Kikuyu, Luo, Kamba and Luhya. Spoken by the majority of Kenya's youth, Sheng evolves so fast that vocabulary can shift within months. It's the language of matatu culture, Kenyan hip-hop and daily life across the city. Words like sasa, poa, ganji and mse are just the start. Explore the community-built Sheng dictionary below, and add the words you know.

Father, or an older man addressed casually.
Example

Buda amerudi kazi.

Africtionary AI 26 July 2026
Something bad, tough, or intense; can also mean cool depending on context.
Example

Hiyo story ni noma sana.

Africtionary AI 26 July 2026
Mother, or an older woman.
Example

Mathe anakuita.

Africtionary AI 26 July 2026
An exclamation like "man!" or "wow", expressing surprise.
Example

Maze, hiyo ni ngori!

Africtionary AI 26 July 2026
Money.
Example

Sina ganji leo.

Africtionary AI 26 July 2026
A car.
Example

Amepark ndai nje.

Africtionary AI 26 July 2026
Money; cash.
Example

Kazi ni kutafuta chapaa.

Africtionary AI 26 July 2026

Odi

Home or a place of residence.
Example

Twende odi tupumzike.

Africtionary AI 26 July 2026

Doo

Money.
Example

Hakuna doo mfukoni.

Africtionary AI 26 July 2026
To eat or to have a meal.
Example

Twende tukadonga chakula.

Africtionary AI 26 July 2026
One thousand shillings.
Example

Nilitumia thao moja.

Africtionary AI 26 July 2026
To be aware or in the know; "you get me?".
Example

Uko rada na story yenyewe?

Africtionary AI 26 July 2026

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