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.

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
A casual greeting meaning "What's up?" or "Hi".
Example

Sasa? Uko aje?

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
Twenty shillings.
Example

Nipe mbao nitanunua maji.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
One term; used politically to mean a single term in office.
Example

Watu wanasema wantam.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
A greeting meaning "What's up?"; response is often "Poa".
Example

Mambo vipi?

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
A car; also can mean a weapon.
Example

Amenunua chuma mpya.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
A person from the Kikuyu community (informal).
Example

Yule msee ni msapere.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026

Poa

Cool, fine, or okay.
Example

Niko poa, thanks.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
A girl or young woman.
Example

Yule manzi ni msee poa.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026

Mse

A guy, dude, or person. From "mse" for a fellow.
Example

Yule mse ni poa.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026

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