100 Popular Trending Sheng Words 2025 & Meanings

With the advancement of new technology and AI, youth are coming up with new slang or sheng languages. You ought to learn the new sheng in the streets and its meaning. Here are some popular Sheng languages in 2025. I have compiled 100+ Sheng words that are popular in Kenya. Have a read. Most of the sheng words in this article are inspired by music and the street talks.

One of the most popular trending phrase so far is “Mapangale”, mapangale is a phrase or dance style introduced by MC Zendiambo also known as Stanama. Also, check out the new Melbet App.

Discover and learn about the new Shembeteng words. Click here to learn more about Shembeteng.

You might also be interested in learning about Sheng Tezzo, Click here to learn more

1. Bant – “Bant/umebant” is a sheng word that means making a mistake. Another sheng word that can substitute of bant is “umechoma” .
2. Packe – Packe is a sheng word that means “Money”.
3. Mapangale – Mapangale is a popular dance style created by MC Zendiambo also known as Stanama.
4. Elchapo – Elchapo is a sheng word used by Gen Z that describes someone who is extra-ordinary.
5. Kasongo – Kasongo is a sheng word creates by Gen Z. “Kasongo” has different meanings depending on the context used.
6. Mukuchu – Mukuchu is a sheng word that means money. Other sheng words that you can use forcash include: ganji, maziwa, mkwanja, chapaa.
7. Kudonjo – Kudonjo means to come, also Kudonjo can be used to mean something interesting.
8. Kudade – Kudade is a trending sheng word, it means to cum in sheng according to various sources. But still depending on the context, it can mean to pour something. The word went viral after the release of “Kudade” Remix by Fancy Fingers.
9. Gotha Tena – Gotha Tena is a sheng word that means pull it up again. It is taken from the Kikuyu language and was made popular by Breeder LW after the release of his hit song “Dedi Dedilee”. Originally, before going viral, the phrase was used by Mbogi Nare reggea crew on their mixtapes.
10. Kumalo – Kumalo means to finish. “Kumalo” was discovered by Mbogi Nare’s reggae crew. Kumalo is taken from the swahili word “Kumaliza” which means to finish.
11. Mziza – Mziza is a sheng word that means a parent, it is taken from the Swahili word Mzazi. The word was popularised by Wakadinali artist Scar Mkadinali.
12. Mnisa – Mnisa is a sheng word that means an artist. The word was popularized by ThirtyFourBrick.
13. Kaveve Kazoze – Kaveve Kazoze is one of the most trending sheng words in Kenya in 2023, it means indulging in khat. Kaveve is taken from the sheng word veve which means khat, miraa, or jaba. Kazoze is taken from the sheng word zoza, which means cause trouble or getting aggressive on something. In this scenario, kaveve kazoze means getting aggressive high on Khat. The word went viral after it was discovered by Kenyan gengetone rapper Ngesh, a member of the Spider Clan.
14. Kitawaramba – Kitawaramba is a sheng word that was discovered in 2023. It is widely used to mean something will backfire on you. The word first went viral after the story of the Shakahola massacre, which involved Pastor Paul Mackenzie was highlighted by the media.
15. M-Sape – M-sape is a Sheng word used to mean M-PESA. It was first used by Sewersydaa in the song “Cry Baby“.
16. Kirende – Kirende is a sheng word that means a big multitude. It is borrowed from the Kikuyu language. The word rende was first used by Wakadinali on their tagline, Rong Rende. In 2023, the word became viral thanks to Spider-Clan.
17. Shera – Shera is a sheng word that was derived from the Miondoko dance style popularized by Kenyan youths. Shera means to dance.
18. Jaba – Jaba means khat or Miraa
19. Kimbokta – Kimbokta is a sheng word that means a long time ago.
20. Kanairo – Kanairo is also one of the most famous sheng words in 2023; it means Nairobi City. Kanairo was first popularized in 2020 by Madocho of Gotta City. Then, in 2021, artists like Big Ting AP, Aj Baraccuda, Trio Mio, and Mejja popularized it in their songs.
21. Warena – Warena means a flashy lifestyle or fire. It is derived from the Sheng word ‘Nare’ which means fire. It was popularized by Mbogi Genje and Khaligraph Jones in 2021. This is after the release of their first collabo, titled ‘Warena’
22. Rada – Rada means what’s up, or what’s going on
23. Malo – Malo is a sheng word that means to eat or finish something.
24. Balaluu – Balaluu is a sheng word introduced by Wakadinali in 2022 in their song “Balaluu”. Balaluu means home.
25. Thiang’ – Thiang’ means a smartphone, specifically the new high-end phones, not mulika mwizi ones
26. Gwethe – Gwethe means pure khat or miraa; we also have Gwethe TV by Buruklyn Boyz associates.
27. Peng or pengting:- Pengting means a girl.
28. Wathii – Wathii means a market, especially where you get clothing goods, for example, Gikomba is called wathii.
29. Ngusu – Ngusu means cannabis sativa or marijuana
30. Njigri – Njigri means a bicycle
31. Taliban – Taliban means someone who causes vayolense, (*derived from Kenyan Dictionary)
32. Danguch – Danguch is a sheng word commonly used by Andrew Kibe in his live streams, danguch means an outgoing person, especially ladies.
33. Pinji – Pinji refers to someone who steals, a pick-pocketer or a phone snatcher in Nairobi streets.
34. Packe – Packe is a sheng word which means money
35. Bossy – Bossy means a person who is respected, a friend, or a peer. it is commonly used in Nairobi
36. Tonje – Tonje means a mobile phone
37. Ganda – Ganda means to die
38. Nyuria – Nyuria means to die
39. Mpoa – Mpoa means a cute girl
40. Wanjapi – Wanjapi means a photo
41. Nyongi – Nyongi is a sheng word that means a small blunt that usually burns your hands or lips.
42. Doshi – Doshi also known as “Chuma ya Doshi” is a Kenyan company that manufactures metal. The word became popular after a song by Eque named “Chuma ya Doshi” went viral. In sheng, Doshi can be interpreted as manhood.
43. Ngasha – Ngasha means to take a shower or to bathe.
44. Purura – Purura means to play or to be a player.
45. Pura – Pura means to play in sheng.
46. Vayolens – Vayolens means violence or chaos, created by social media users to show something is about to happen.
47. Imbo – Imbo means something fake
48. Wamocho – Wamocho means to take alcohol
49. Muoket – Muoket means to come
50. Kortko – Kortko or courtko means a court
51. Ganji – Ganji means money
52. Nyonginyo – Nyonginyo is a sheng word that means socks
53. Stoko – Stoko means the stock
54. Vuva – Vuva means to meditate or take marijuana (Cannabis sativa).
55. Mbaru – Mbaru is a sheng word that is widely used to refer to police officers.
56. Kumedi – Kumedi simply means meditation, or to meditate. This is usually after taking substances.
57. Mraa – Mraa means the work you do, the hustle, sometimes it can mean the area you stay in.
58. Kindukulu – Kindukulu means marijuana or cannabis sativa
59. Mboka – Mboka means work or a job
60. Nginyo – Nginyo is a sheng word that refers to adult films.
61. Mbichwa – Something that is new. It can sometimes be used to mean cannabis sativa or marijuana
62. Mkuu – Mkuu refers to a respected leader or someone very supportive or influential.
63. Mtaro/mrota – In sheng mtaro or mrota has a hidden meaning to mean something wide.
64. Saigon – Saigon means a police officer
65. Jongo – Jongo means a hundred shillings, a hundred bob
66. Morio – Morio means a friend, a guy, or a best male friend. “Ni morio wa mine”
67. Morio anzenza – Morio anzenza means a friend since day one, it was popularised by Wakadinali through their song “Morio Anzenza”.
68. Morio hukudinya/Ambia morio hukudinya/ uliza morio hukudinya – This was popularised in 2021. I have written a post about it: https://kelxfy.com/uliza-ambia-morio-hukudinya-meaning/
69. Pikini or Pikin – Pikin or Pikini means children
70. Dem – Dem means a girl
71. Mngola – Mngola means a door derived from the Swahili word “Mlango.
72. Muchatha or ocha – Muchatha or ocha means the village areas.
73. Gwaya – Gwaya means to fear
74. Kiombitho – Kiombitho means cannabis sativa or marijuana
75. Monchoka – Monchoka means to come or drink alcohol
76. Riang/ rieng – Rieng or riang’ means what’s up.
77. Manambling – Manambling is a group of haters.
78. Mtiaji – Mtiaji means a hater
79. Maziwa – Maziwa means money; for example, “Maziwa Mrefu”
80. Kimonyoski – Kimonyoski means a group of people with a common interest
81. Mbogi – Mbogi means a group of people who share a common interest
82. Ngunga – Ngunga means cannabis sativa
83. Ririma – Ririma means taking cannabis
84. Bazu – Bazu is someone considered a big man or a kingpin
85. Mbulu – Mbulu means television, mbulu can also means a person who has changed to become mad.
86. Mbuku – Mbuku means a book
87. Bazenga – Bazenga means someone special, or bazu”.
88. Rotejo – Rotejo means your house.
89. Big Man Bazu – Big man Bazu means someone who is very important.
90. Kidi – Kidi is a weapon
91. Jipin – Jipin means you’ve got protection
92. Uradi – Uradi means you have something interesting, someone can say – “Si unitolee uradi” or a form.
93. Form – Form means to have connections or to ask someone what’s up
94. Kanambo – Kanambo means Addidjah Palma or Vybz Kartel
95. Hessy – Hessy means a police officer.
96. Fathe/Fathela – Fathe or Fathela means someone who is respected, a godfather
97. Kolo or Kikolo – Kolo means a roll of marijuana/ cannabis sativa
98. Riambez – Riambez means a cute girl
99. Mbleina – Mbleina means somebody who doesn’t know anything or someone considered a traitor.
100. Murife – Murife is a Sheng word that means someone who never settles in one place.
101. Shada – Shada means a roll of marijuana or cannabis Sativa
102. Mtiaji – Somebody who makes fun of everything
103. Luku – Luku means look, fashion, and style. The word luku was popularized by Kenyan rapper Khaligraph Jones in his song Luku, featuring all-stars.
104. Luku Kasuku – Luku Kasuku means old-fashioned. Luku Kasuku was popularized by Octopizzo for his Khaligraph Jones fashion sense.
105. Tispo – Tispo means sports it was popularized by the sheng masters Mbongi Genge in 2020. It is commonly used to refer to sports shoes.
106. Omoka – Omoka means to make it in life. Also, there is a website called omokaa.com where you can get jobs.
107. Mavela – Mavela means khat or miraa
108. Makali – Makali is used in sheng to describe alcohol that requires a chaser, especially the one sold in a small alcohol shop or a bar. Examples include Gin, Konyagi, etc
109. Chingri – Chingri means alcohol
110. Chuma maliet – Chuma maliet means a matatu that is flashy
111. Nganya – Nganya means a flashy matatu; you can also call it Mboko. Mboko means a flashy ma3 or matatu
112. Mathree or ma3 – Mathree or ma3 is famous, and it means matatu, a mode of transport in Kenya.
113. Mrenga -Mrenga is a car – Wakadinali popularized it in their song “Mrenga.” “Kama si Benzo mrenga ni Bima” is one of the popular lyrics.
114. Mayibe – Mayibe is the area you stay in, the yard, where you live or stay.
115. Zabe – Zabe means somewhere you chill
116. Marima – Marima is a sheng word that also describes where you always chill with friends.
117. Mziza – Mziza is a sheng word that means a parent. It is taken from the Swahili word Mzazi.
118. Stenje – Stenje means a police station, you can also use ndonyo to mean a cell in a police station.
119. Zanabe – Zanabe means the hood you chill in.
120. Mzinga – Mzinga is a full drink, especially the 1-liter alcoholic drinks
121. Oyole – Oyole is short form of Kayole
122. Thutha – Thutha means behind, which is a direct translation from the Kikuyu language
123. Choch – Choch means a corner or a hidden place
124. Zing or Mzing – Someone who is special, especially a father.
125. Mrazi – Mrazi means someone who can’t keep secrets, a traitor, to be precise
126. Kwani ni Kesho – Kwani ni Kesho means if it’s tomorrow. It was popularized by the Buruklyn Boyz.
127. Riswa – Riswa is a sheng word used to curse something you are unfamiliar with.
128. Muok – Muok means come
129. Ngono – Ngono means a cart, also known as mkokoteni.
130. Lele – Lele means a person with an interest in dating someone of the same gender, mostly female. So “lele” simply means a lesbian.
131. Ng’ang’o – Ng’ang’o means alcoholic
132. Njoti – Njoti means groundnuts
133. Chora Saba – Chora saba means to twerk
134. Oyaa – Oyaa means calling someone “Oyaa” is one of the most commonly used words to call someone you don’t know their name
135. Buda – Buda means dad. It can also be used to call a male guy if you don’t want to call them by their name.
136. Mokoro – Mokoro means a mum or is sometimes used to refer to an elderly woman
137. Siz – Siz is used to refer to a sister
138. Bro – Bro is used to refer to a brother
139. Maini – Maini means the freshly selected khat, high-grade miraa or shash
140. Chai – Chai means to steal from someone
141. Ng’at – Ng’at means one hundred, you can also use kioo, to mean one hundred shillings.
142. Rwabe – Rwabe means two hundred
143. Ikus – ikus means a vagina
144. Ndovu ni Kuu – Ndovu ni Kuu was popularized by Krispah in his song “Ndovu ni Kuu” featuring Khaligraph Jones and Boutross.
145. Manze – Manze is used in a sentence to show the continuation of a story or to make something look interesting. For example, “Manze Jo”
146. Thigitha – Thigitha means to cause trouble
147. Manzi – Manzi refers to a girl
148. Kiki – Kiki means clout; it was borrowed from Tanzania, where it is famous.
149. Nyandua – Nyandua means getting intimate with a lover
150. Mrombotoko – A shembeteng word that means a mother
151. Banja – Banja means to talk or to speak
152. Zoza – Zoza means to cause trouble
153. Mrota – Mrota means an alley
154. Kazoze – Kazoze means having fun chewing miraa or khat
155. Chana Jaba – Chana jaba means to chew khat
156. Ndeng’a – Ndeng’a is used to refer to weapons
157. Rong Rende – Rong rende means the wrong crew; it was popularised by Wakadinali

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