New Shembeteng/Sheng words and their Meanings, Origin, and more…

Shembeteng is the new advanced sheng language in Kenya, discovered by the new generation of sheng masters, namely Jeshi Jinga, Madocho, Master in Kayole (@master_in_kayole), Kenyan Dictionary, and other stakeholders in the industry. The latest Shembeteng (sheng) is very interesting and shows how youths can be creative when given the opportunity to showcase their talents.
Evolution: Sheng has evolved; every day we have new sheng words in the streets. It’s unresistible. In this article, we analyze the new Shembeteng words, their meanings, origins, and discovery.

Shembeteng Meaning?
According to a viral Instagram post by Kenyan Dictionary, they define Shembeteng as “Shembeteng means sheng words that sound like they are encrypted. The words are added extra words to make them longer. Which makes the language a form of art.”
From the above definition, we can say that shembeteng is an addition of words such as Mbata, Mbete, Mbiti, Mboto, and Mbutu to other existing sheng words to create other new words. These new sheng words are now called shembeteng.
The word Shembeteng is derived from inserting the word ‘Mbete‘ into the word Sheng. For example, instead of saying sheng, in the new language, you add ‘Mbete‘ to make it Shembeteng.
Also, instead of saying nakulove, in the new language, you add ‘Mboto‘ to make it Nakulombotov or Nakulombotove.
How ‘Shembeteng’ was discovered
Shembeteng was first discovered in 2020 by Jeshi Jinga in Kayole and Umoja. The language was popularized in 2022 by Jeshi Jinga, Master in Kayole (@master_in_kayole), Madocho, and other sheng lovers who continuously work together to improve the new Shembeteng language.
Why ‘Shembeteng’ is used
Shembeteng is used to decode a certain message that has a hidden meaning. After the discovery of the language, everyone is now into sheng. Nairobi youths got creative and introduced the Shembeteng language, which is now widely used in Kayole and other Nairobi estates.
When ‘Shembeteng’ is used
Shembeteng is used when you want to communicate with your peers or pass a message. Though many people are still learning the new language, To others, it still remains the hardest language to understand and decode. Shembeteng mostly targets the youths who are now using the new language to communicate.
Examples of ‘Shembeteng’ Dictionary words and their meanings in English
- Kayombotole – Kayombotole means ‘Kayole‘ in the Shembeteng language
- Mbatoyoyo – Mbatoyoyo is a word used to diss something.
- Madombotocho – Madombotocho is another name for Madocho in the Shembeteng language
- Mkasembete – Mkasembete of Mkasee means a person who speaks in the Kamba language
- Mrombotoko – Mromboto means a mother.
- Mkisimbiti – Mkisimbiti means a person who speaks in Kisii language.
- Gembetenge – Gembetenge means ngeli ya genge
- Nakulombotove – Nakulombotove means I love you in English
- Nakulombotov – Nakulombotov means I love you in English
- Rumbutungu – Rumbutungu means money
- Kuntaka – Kuntaka means a fool in shembeteng
- Lembeteo – Lembeteo means today in the Shembeteng
- Shombotow – Shombotow means a show in the Shembeteng language
- Lumbutuku – Lumbutuku means good looks or luku in Swahili
- Kizumbutungu – Kizumbutungu means English in the Shembeteng language
- Yambatako – Yambatako means Yours in the Shembeteng language
- Zombotote – Zombotote means All of it in the Shembeteng language
- Nakuhambatate – Nakuhambatate means I hate you in the Shembeteng language.
- Yombotobra – Yombotobra is another name for Brayo in the Shembeteng language
- Kiambatasi – Kiambatasi means A little in the Shembeteng language
- Kimbitill – Kimbitill means to kill, for example, to kill a show in the Shembeteng language
- Mwambatasta – Mwambatasta means a rasta man in the Shembeteng language
- Ng’ombotora – Ng’ombotora means to joke, it is derived from the sheng word ‘ng’ora‘ which means joking.
- Kumbutuja – Kumbutuja means to come in shembeteng language.
- Wambatald – Wambatald pronounced as Wamba-tald means world in English.
- Madembeten – Madembeten means girls in the Shembeteng language
- Ukwembeteri – Ukwembeteri means the truth in the Shembeteng language
- Wambatangu – Wambatangu means Mine in the Shembeteng language
- Jimbitinga – Jimbitinga means “a fool” in the Shembeteng language
- Jembeteshi Jinga – Jembeteshi Jinga means Jeshi Jinga in the Shembeteng language
- Fomboto – Fomboto means to follow in the Shembeteng language
- Mazembete – Mazembete means girls in the Shembeteng language
- Mzimbiting – Mzimbiting is another word for a father or dad or someone who is considered great in the Shembeteng language or Mzae in Sheng.
- Gembeteto – Gembeteto means ghetto in the Shembeteng language.
- Mshombotosh – Mshombotosh is a Shembeteng word that means a grandmother
- Mrombotoko – Mtombotoko means a mother in shembeteng language.
- Jembeteshi – Jembeteshi means a group or a gang in the Shembeteng language.
- Hembetate – Hembetate means to hate in English
- Sambataru – Sambataru means Ssaru, It is a name given to Kenyan artist Ssaru by Master in Kayole
- Lumbutuga – Lumbutuga means a language
- Majumbutu – Majumbutu means abroad or majuu in sheng
- Mafambatans – Fambatans means fans
- Kumbutunywa – Kumbutunywa means ‘to drink‘ someone in the Shembeteng language. It is translated from the sheng word ‘Kuwakunywa‘ which means to make them jealous.
- Jamambataica – Jamambataica means Jamaica
- Ndumbututhi – Ndumbututhi means a motorcycle
- Rotembetejo – Rotembetejo means your area it is derived from the sheng word rotejo, which means a stage or the area you stay in.
- Arimbif – Arimbitif means a friend
- Shimbitikwa – Shimbitikwa means to get arrested
- Fambatala – Fambatala means a fool
- Skimbitia – Skimbitia means to listen
Shembeteng Tutorial
Here is a the shembeteng Tutorial by Kenyan Dictionary
English | Sheng | Shembeteng |
---|---|---|
Mine | Wangu | Wambatangu |
Yours | Yako | Yambatako |
A Little | Kiasi | Kiambatasi |
English | Kizungu | Kizumbutungu |
All of It | Zote | Zombotote |
Drip | Luku | Lumbutuku |
I love you | Nakulove | Nakulombotove |
I hate you | Nakuhate | Nakuhambatate |
This tutorial shows how you can use Shembeteng vowels to create new Sheng words. It’s very easy to learn. You just take a word and add the Shembeteng vowels.

Shembeteng Dictionary
The Shembeteng dictionary is a collection of new Shembeteng words. The words are derived by adding Shembeteng vowels, which include Mbata, Mbete, Mbiti, Mboto, and Mbutu to existing words to come up with new ones. Shembeteng involves creativity since it’s an advanced modern language.

Guide: How to use the Shembeteng language
In order to use and master the Shembeteng language, you need to learn the new vowels used in the language. According to the Kenyan Dictionary on Instagram, they provided a guide on how to use the Shembeteng language.
- Learn Vowels
- Use the vowels appropriately

Madocho Sheng Dictionary
Check out the latest updated Madocho Sheng dictionary…
Mbogi Genje Sheng Dictionary
Check out the latest updated Mbogi Genje sheng dictionary…
Sheng Tezzo
Sheng Tezzo is a new sheng by Kenyan upcoming youth called Sheng Tezzo. Sheng Tezzo members include Mkhaliff, Zopre, Terminator, and Scorpion Kartel. Read more about Sheng Tezzo here.
Shembeteng Vowels
Here is a list of Shembeteng vowels
- Mbata
- Mbete
- Mbiti
- Mboto
- Mbutu

Tip: If you master using the ‘Shembeteng’ vowels, you can decode the new Shembeteng language.
Shembeteng Videos
After the Shembeteng language was discovered, fans are now supporting the new language. Artists such as Nyakundi The Actor and Jeshi Jinga, have created a song to educate people on the new language. Check out the Nakulombotove song below.
- Shembeteng Master Schools Amina at The Trend NTV
- Kenyan actor Kabugi creates his own Shembeteng comedy
- Meet Mike, also known as Kimbitchwa Shembeteng, a master from Kayole, also known as Kayombotole.
Summary
The new Shembeteng language is very interesting and funny at the same time. It is the new language on the streets of Nairobi. Most people find it easy to learn, while others have reacted to it differently. It’s just a matter of time to know if it is here to stay or not.
At Kelxfy, we appreciate the efforts of creative youths in the discovery of a new language. Especially Master in Kayole (@master_in_kayole), Madocho, Jeshi Jinga, Kenyan Dictionary, and other stakeholders who take their time to educate people on the new Shembeteng language and how to use it in a conversation.
FAQs and KnowledgeBase
Shembeteng Frequently Asked Questions and Knowledge Base
The shembeteng language is good and it’s understandable