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.
Something bad, tough, or intense; can also mean cool depending on context.
Example
Hiyo story ni noma sana.
Port city on Lake Victoria known for fishing and vibrant lakeside culture.
Example
Kisumu's Dunga Beach offers fresh tilapia straight from the lake.
Historic coastal city with Swahili culture and East Africa's largest port.
Example
Mombasa's Old Town features ornate Arab-style doors and architecture.
Kenya's capital and East Africa's tech hub, with thriving startups and wildlife parks.
Example
Nairobi National Park offers safari experiences just minutes from the city center.
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