100 Popular trending sheng words 2023 & Meanings

With the advancement of new technology, 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 2023. I have compiled 100+ Sheng words that are popular in Kenya in 2023. Have a read. Most of the sheng is inspired by music and the streets.

One of the most popular songs is “Rieng Genje” or Kaveve Kazoze. Kaveve Kazoze means indulging in khat, also known as jaba or miraa.

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

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1. 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 Spider Clan.
2. 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 that involved Pastor Paul Mackenzie was highlighted by the media.
3. 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 has become viral thanks to Spider Clan.
4. Shera – Shera is a sheng word that was derived from the miondoko dance style popularized by Kenyan youths. Shera means to dance.
5. Jaba – Jaba means khat or Miraa
6. 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.
7. 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’
8. Rada – Rada means what’s up, or what’s going on
9. Kumalo – Kumalo means to finish. It was discovered by Mbogi Nare’s reggae crew.
10. Malo – Malo is a sheng word that means to eat or finish something.
11. Balaluu – Balaluu is a sheng word introduced by Wakadinali in 2022 in their song “Balaluu”. Balaluu means home.
12. Thiang’ – Thiang’ means a smartphone, specifically the new high-end phones, not mulika mwizi ones
13. Gwethe – Gwethe means pure khat or miraa also we have Gwethe TV by Buruklyn Boyz associates.
14. Peng or pengting – Pengting means a girl.
15. Wathii – Wathii means a Market especially where you get clothing goods, for example, Gikomba is called wathii.
16. Ngusu – Ngusu means cannabis sativa or marijuana
17. Njigri – Njigri means a bicycle
18. Taliban – Taliban means someone who causes vayolense, (*derived from Kenyan Dictionary)
19. Danguch – Danguch is a sheng word commonly used by Andrew Kibe in his live streams, danguch means an outgoing person, especially ladies.
20. Pinji – Pinji refers to someone who steals, a pick-pocketer or a phone snatcher in Nairobi streets.
21. Packe – Packe is a sheng word which means money
22. Bossy – Bossy means a person who is respected, a friend, or a peer. it is commonly used in Nairobi
23. Tonje – Tonje means a mobile phone
24. Ganda – Ganda means to die
25. Nyuria – Nyuria means to die
26. Mpoa – Mpoa means a cute girl
27. Wanjapi – Wanjapi means a photo
28. Nyongi – Nyongi is a sheng word that means a small blunt that usually burns your hands or lips.
29. 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.
30. Ngasha – Ngasha means to take a shower or to bathe.
31. Purura – Purura means to play or to be a player.
32. Pura – Pura means to play in sheng.
33. Vayolens – Vayolens means violence or chaos, it was created by social media users to show something is about to happen.
34. Imbo – Imbo means something that is fake
35. Wamocho – Wamocho means to take alcohol
36. Muoket – Muoket means to come
37. Kortko – Kortko or courtko means a court
38. Ganji – Ganji means money
39. Nyonginyo – Nyonginyo is a sheng word that means socks
40. Stoko – Stoko means the stock
41. Vuva – Vuva means to meditate or take marijuana (Cannabis sativa).
42. Mbaru – Mbaru is a sheng word that is widely used to reference police officers.
43. Kumedi – Kumedi simply means meditation, or to meditate. This is usually after taking substances.
44. Mraa – Mraa means the work you do, the hustle, sometimes it can mean the area you stay in.
45. Kindukulu – Kindukulu means marijuana or cannabis sativa
46. Mboka – Mboka means work or a job
47. Nginyo – Nginyo is a sheng word that refers to adult films.
48. Mbichwa – Something that is new. It can sometimes be used to mean cannabis sativa or marijuana
49. Mkuu – Mkuu refers to a respected leader or someone who is very supportive or influential.
50. Mtaro/mrota – In sheng mtaro or mrota has a hidden meaning to mean something wide.
51. Saigon – Saigon means a police officer
52. Jongo – Jongo means a hundred shillings, a hundred bob
53. Morio – Morio means a friend, a guy, or a best male friend “Ni morio wa mine”
54. Morio anzenza – Morio anzenza means a friend since day one, it was popularised by Wakadinali through their song “Morio Anzenza”.
55. 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/
56. Pikini or Pikin – Pikin or Pikini means children
57. Dem – Dem means a girl
58. Mngola – Mngola means a door; it is derived from the Swahili word “Mlango.
59. Muchatha or ocha – Muchatha or ocha means the village areas.
60. Gwaya – Gwaya means to fear
61. Kiombitho – Kiombitho means cannabis sativa or marijuana
62. Monchoka – Monchoka means to come or drink alcohol
63. Riang/ rieng – Rieng or riang’ means what’s up.
64. Manambling – Manambling is a group of haters.
65. Mtiaji – Mtiaji means a hater
66. Maziwa – Maziwa means money example “Maziwa Mrefu”
67. Kimonyoski – Kimonyoski means a group of people with a common interest
68. Mbogi – Mbogi means a group of people who share a common interest
69. Ngunga – Ngunga means cannabis sativa
70. Ririma – Ririma means taking cannabis
71. Bazu – Bazu is someone considered a big man or a kingpin
72. Mbulu – Mbulu means television
73. Mbuku – Mbuku means a book
74. Bazenga – Bazenga means someone special, or bazu”.
75. Rotejo – Rotejo means your house.
76. Big Man Bazu – Big man Bazu means someone who is very important.
77. Kidi – Kidi is a weapon
78. Jipin – Jipin means you’ve got protection
79. Uradi – Uradi means you have something interesting, someone can say – “Si unitolee uradi” or a form.
80. Form – Form means to have connections or to ask someone what’s up
81. Kanambo – Kanambo means Addidjah Palma or Vybz Kartel
82. Hessy – Hessy means a police officer.
83. Fathe/Fathela – Fathe or Fathela means someone who is respected, a godfather
84. Kolo or Kikolo – Kolo means a roll of marijuana/ cannabis sativa
85. Riambez – Riambez means a cute girl
86. Mbleina – Mbleina means somebody who doesn’t know anything or someone considered a traitor.
87. Murife – Murife is a Sheng word that means someone who never settles in one place.
88. Shada – Shada means a roll of marijuana or cannabis Sativa
89. Mtiaji – Somebody who makes fun of everything
90. Luku – Luku means look, fashion, and style. The word luku was popularized by Kenyan rapper Khaligraph Jones in his song Luku, featuring all-stars.
91. Luku Kasuku – Luku Kasuku means old-fashioned. Luku Kasuku was popularized by Octopizzo in reference to Khaligraph Jones fashion sense.
92. Tispo – Tispo means sports it was popularized by the sheng masters Mbongi Genge in 2020. It is commonly used to refer to sports shoes.
93. Omoka – Omoka means to make it in life. Also, there is a website called omokaa.com where you can get jobs.
94. Mavela – Mavela means khat or miraa
95. Makali – Makali is used in sheng to describe alcohol that requires a chaser, especially the one’s sold in a small alcohol shop or a bar, examples include Gin, Konyagi, etc
96. Chingri – Chingri means alcohol
97. Chuma maliet – Chuma maliet means a matatu that is flashy
98. Nganya – Nganya means a flashy matatu you can also call it Mboko. Mboko means a flashy ma3 or matatu
99. Mathree or ma3 – Mathree or ma3 is famous, and it means matatu, a mode of transport in Kenya.
100. Mrenga -Mrenga is a car – it was popularized by Wakadinali in their song “Mrenga” Kama si Benzo mrenga ni Bima is one of the popular lyrics.
101. Mayibe – Mayibe is the area you stay in, the yard, Where you live.
102. Zabe – Zabe means somewhere you chill
103. Stenje – Stenje means a police station, you can also use ndonyo to mean a cell in a police station.
104. Zanabe – Zanabe means the hood you chill in.
105. Mzinga – Mzinga is a full drink, especially the 1-liter alcoholic drinks
106. Oyole – Oyole is short form of Kayole
107. Thutha – Thutha means behind, which is a direct translation from the Kikuyu language
108. Choch – Choch means a corner or a hidden place
109. Zing or Mzing – Someone who is special, especially a father.
110. Mrazi – Mrazi means someone who can’t keep secrets, a traitor, to be precise
111. Kwani ni Kesho – Kwani ni Kesho means if it’s tomorrow. It was popularized by the Buruklyn Boyz.
112. Riswa – Riswa is a sheng word used to curse something you are unfamiliar with.
113. Muok – Muok means come
114. Ngono – Ngono means a cart, also known as mkokoteni.
115. Lele – Lele means a person with an interest in dating someone of the same gender, mostly female. So “lele” simply means a lesbian.
116. Ng’ang’o – Ng’ang’o means alcoholic
117. Njoti – Njoti means groundnuts
118. Chora Saba – Chora saba means to twerk
119. Oyaa – Oyaa means calling someone “Oyaa” is one of the most commonly used words to call someone you don’t know their name
120. 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.
121. Mokoro – Mokoro means a mum or is sometimes used to refer to an elderly woman
122. Siz – Siz is used to refer to a sister
123. Bro – Bro is used to refer to a brother
124. Maini – Maini means the freshly selected khat, high-grade miraa or shash
125. Chai – Chai means to steal from someone
126. Ng’at – Ng’at means one hundred, you can also use kioo, to mean one hundred shillings.
127. Rwabe – Rwabe means two hundred
128. Ikus – ikus means a vagina
129. Ndovu ni Kuu – Ndovu ni Kuu was popularized by Krispah in his song “Ndovu ni Kuu” featuring Khaligraph Jones and Boutross.
130. Manze – Manze is used in a sentence to show the continuation of a story or to make something look interesting. For example, “Manze Jo”
131. Thigitha – Thigitha means to cause trouble
132. Manzi – Manzi refers to a girl
133. Kiki – Kiki means clout; it was borrowed from Tanzania, where it is famous.
134. Nyandua – Nyandua means getting intimate with a lover
135. Mrombotoko – A shembeteng word that means a mother
136. Banja – Banja means to talk or to speak
137. Zoza – Zoza means to cause trouble
138. Mrota – Mrota means an alley
139. Kazoze – Kazoze means having fun chewing miraa or khat
140. Chana Jaba – Chana jaba means to chew khat
141. Ndeng’a – Ndeng’a is used to refer to weapons
142. Rong Rende – Rong rende means the wrong crew; it was popularised by Wakadinali

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