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 will be 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 “Kanairo” which means Nairobi

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1. Kanairo – Kanairo is one of the most famous sheng word in 2022 it means Nairobi City. Kanairo was firstly popularised in 2020 by Madocho of Gotta City. Then in 2021 artists like Big Ting AP, Aj Baraccuda, Trio Mio and Mejja popularised it in their songs.
2. Warena – Warena means a flashy lifestyle or fire. It is derived from the sheng word ‘Nare’ which means fire. It was popularised by Mbogi Genje and Khaligraph Jones in 2021. This is after the release of their first collabo titled ‘Warena’
3. Rada – Rada means what’s up, or what’s going on
4. Kumalo – Kumalo means to finish. It was discovered by Mbogi Nare reggae crew.
5. Malo – Malo is a sheng word that means to eat or finish something.
6. Balaluu – Balaluu is a sheng word introduced by Wakadinali in 2022 in their song “Balaluu”. Balaluu means home.
7. Thiang’ – Thiang’ means a smartphone, specifically the new high-end phones not mulika mwizi ones
8. Gwethe – Gwethe means pure khat or miraa also we have Gwethe TV by Buruklyn Boyz associates.
9. Peng or pengting – Pengting means a girl.
10. Wathii – Wathii means a Market especially where you get clothing goods, for example Gikomba is called wathii.
11. Ngusu – Ngusu means cannabis sativa or marijuana
12. Njigri – Njigri means a bicycle
13. Taliban – Taliban means someone who causes vayolense, (*derived from Kenyan Dictionary)
14. Danguch – Danguch is a sheng word commonly used by Andrew Kibe in his live streams, danguch means an outgoing person, especially ladies.
15. Pinji – Pinji refers to someone who steals, a pick-pocketer or a phone snatcher in Nairobi streets.
16. Packe – Packe is a sheng word which means money
17. Bossy – Bossy means a person who is respected, a friend or a peer. it is commonly used in Nairobi
18. Tonje – Tonje means a mobile phone
19. Ganda – Ganda means to die
20. Nyuria – Nyuria means to die
21. Mpoa – Mpoa means a cute girl
22. Wanjapi – Wanjapi means a photo
23. Nyongi – Nyongi is a sheng word that means a small blunt that usually burns your hands or lips.
24. 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.
25. Ngasha – Ngasha means to take a shower or to bath
26. Purura – Purura means to play, or to be a player.
27. Vayolens – Vayolens means violence or chaos, it was created by social media users to show something is about to happen.
28. Imbo – Imbo means something that is fake
29. Wamocho – Wamocho means to take alcohol
30. Muoket – Muoket means to come
31. Kortko – Kortko or courtko means a court
32. Ganji – Ganji means money
33. Nyonginyo – Nyonginyo is a sheng word that means socks
34. Stoko – Stoko means the stock
35. Vuva – Vuva means to meditate or take marijuana/cannabis sativa
36. Mbaru – Mbaru is a sheng word that is widely used to reference police officers.
37. Kumedi – Kumedi simply means meditation, or to meditate. This is usually after taking substances.
38. Mraa – Mraa means the work you do, the hustle, sometimes it can mean the area you stay
39. Kindukulu – Kindukulu means marijuana or cannabis sativa
40. Mboka – Mboka means work or a job
41. Nginyo – Nginyo is a sheng word that refers to adult films.
42. Mbichwa – Something that is new. It can sometimes be used to mean cannabis sativa or marijuana
43. Mkuu – Mkuu refers to a respected leader or someone who is very supportive or influential.
44. Mtaro/mrota – In sheng mtaro or mrota has a hidden meaning to mean something wide.
45. Saigon – Saigon means a police officer
46. Jongo – Jongo means a hundred shillings, a hundred bob
47. Morio – Morio means a friend, a guy or a best male friend “Ni morio wa mine”
48. Morio anzenza – Morio anzenza means a friend since day one, it was popularised by Wakadinali by their song “Morio Anzenza”
49. 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/
50. Pikini or Pikin – Pikin or Pikini means children
51. Dem – Dem means a girl
52. Mngola – Mngola means a door, it is derived from the Swahili word ‘Mlango’.
53. Muchatha or ocha – Muchatha or ocha means the village areas.
54. Gwaya – Gwaya means to fear
55. Kiombitho – Kiombitho means cannabis sativa or marijuana
56. Monchoka – Monchoka means come, or drink alcohol
57. Riang/ rieng – Rieng or riang’ means whats up
58. Manambling – Manambling is a group of haters.
59. Mtiaji – Mtiaji means a hater
60. Maziwa – Maziwa means money example “Maziwa Mrefu”
61. Kimonyoski – Kimonyoski means a group of people with common interest
62. Mbogi – Mbogi means a group of people who share a common interest
63. Ngunga – Ngunga means cannabis sativa
64. Ririma – Ririma means taking cannabis
65. Bazu – Bazu is someone considered a big man or a kingpin
66. Mbulu – Mbulu means television
67. Mbuku – Mbuku means a book
68. Bazenga – Bazenga means someone special, or bazu
69. Rotejo – Rotejo means your house.
70. Big Man Bazu – Big man Bazu means someone who is very important.
71. Kidi – Kidi is a weapon
72. Jipin – Jipin means you got protection
73. Uradi – Uradi means you have something interesting, someone can say – “Si unitolee uradi” or a form.
74. Form – Form means to have connections or to ask someone what’s up
75. Kanambo – Kanambo means Addidjah Palma or Vybz Kartel
76. Hessy – Hessy means a police officer.
77. Fathe/Fathela – Fathe or Fathela means someone who is respected, a godfather
78. Kolo or Kikolo – Kolo means a roll of marijuana/ cannabis sativa
79. Riambez – Riambez means a cute girl
80. Mbleina – Mbleina means somebody who doesn’t know anything or someone considered a traitor.
81. Murife – Murife is a sheng word that means someone who never settles in one place.
82. Shada – Shada means a roll of marijuana or cannabis Sativa
83. Mtiaji – Somebody who makes fun of everything
84. Luku – Luku means look, the fashion, the style. The word luku was popularised by Kenyan rapper Khaligraph Jones in his song “Luku” featuring all-stars.
85. Luku Kasuku – Luku Kasuku means old fashioned. Luku Kasuku was popularised by Octopizzo in referring to Khaligraph Jones fashion sense.
86. Tispo – Tispo means sports it was popularized by the sheng masters Mbongi Genge in 2020. It commonly used to refer sport shoes.
87. Omoka – Omoka means to make it in life. Also there is a website called omokaa.com where you can get jobs.
88. Mavela – Mavela means khat or miraa
89. Makali – Makali is used in sheng to describe alcohol that requires chaser especially the one’s sold in a small alcohol shop or a bar, examples include Gin, Konyagi etc
90. Chingri – Chingri means alcohol
91. Chuma maliet – Chuma maliet means a matatu that is flashy
92. Nganya – Nganya means a flashy matatu you can also call it Mboko. Mboko means a flashy ma3 or matatu
93. Mathree or ma3 – Mathree or ma3 is famous and it means matatu a mode of transport in Kenya.
94. Mrenga -Mrenga is a car – it was popularised by Wakadinali in their song “Mrenga” Kama si Benzo mrenga ni Bima is one of the popular lyric.
95. Mayibe – Mayibe is the area you stay, the yard… Where you hood
96. Zabe – Zabe means somewhere you chill
97. Stenje – Stenje means a police station, you can also use ndonyo to mean a cell in a police station.
98. Zanabe – Zanabe means the hood you chill
99. Mzinga – Mzinga is a full drink especially the 1 litre alcoholic drinks
100. Oyole – Oyole is shortform of Kayole
101. Thutha – Thutha means behind it is a direct translation from Kikuyu language
102. Choch – Choch means a corner or a hidden place
103. Zing or Mzing – Someone who is special especially a father.
104. Mrazi – Mrazi means someone who cant keep secrets, a traitor to be precise
105. Kwani ni Kesho – Kwani ni Kesho means if it’s tomorrow it was popularized by Buruklyn Boyz.
106. Riswa – riswa is a sheng word used to curse something you are unfamiliar with.
107. Muok – Muok means come
108. Ngono – Ngono means a cart also known as mkokoteni
109. Lele – Lele means a person with an interest in dating the same gender
110. Ng’ang’o – Ng’ang’o means alcoholic
111. Njoti – Means groundnuts
112. Chora Saba – Chora saba means to twerk
113. Oyaa – Oyaa means calling someone “Oyaa” is one of the most commonly used words to call someone you don’t know their name
114. Buda – Buda means a dad, it can also be used to call a male guy if you don’t want to call them using their name.
115. Mokoro – Mokoro means a mum or is sometimes used to refer to an elderly woman
116. Siz – Siz is used to refer to a sister
117. Bro – Bro is used to refer to a brother
118. Maini – Maini means the fresh selected khat, highgrade miraa or shash
119. Chai – Chai means to steal from someone
120. Ng’at – Ng’at means one hundred, you can also use kioo, to mean one hundred shilings.
121. Rwabe – Rwabe means two hundred
122. Ikus – ikus means a vagina
123. Ndovu ni kuu – Ndovu ni kuu was popularised by Krispah in his song “Ndovu ni Kuu” featuring Khaligraph Jones and Boutross.
124. Manze – Manze is used used in a sentence to show the continuation of a story or to make something look interesting. For example “Manze Jo”
125. Thigitha – Thigitha means to cause trouble
126. Manzi – Manzi refers to a girl
127. Kiki – Kiki means clout it was borrowed from Tanzania where it is famous.
128. Nyandua – Nyandua means getting intimate with a lover
129. Mrombotoko – A shembeteng word that means a mother
130. Banja – Banja means to talk or to speak
131. Zoza – Zoza means to cause trouble
132. Mrota – Mrota means an alley
133. Kazoze – Kazoze means having fun chewing miraa or khat
134. Chana Jaba – Chana jaba means to chew khat
135. Jaba – Jaba means khat or Miraa
136. Ndeng’a – Ndeng’a is used to refer to weapons
137. Rong Rende – Rong rende means a wrong crew, it was popularised by Wakadinali

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