Funny words Kenyans used in 2018

Steve Oke Chapchap Market 18/12/2024 No Comments

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Kenya is known to be more united in the social media front with Kenyans on Twitter group being dreaded worldwide for defending country’s social, political and cultural position.

This unity and hyperactivity on the internet has seen Kenyans coin funny words and phrases, sometimes from unfortunate situations to keep conversations alive and coded for the natives.



Kenyans coined several funny words and phrases which resonated with events of 2018 that left many with cracked ribs whenever they were used especially in satirical form or out of original context.

Here is a list of some of the words;

1. Riparian- Formally riparian refers to land related to or situated on the banks of a river.

When government went on a mission to demolish houses illegally built on such prohibited riparian spaces many Kenyans were keen to understand the word’s meaning and use it.




2. Sany: This is the brand name of a bulldozer used to demolish houses and Kenyans would mention it as the face of fighting impunity.

Whenever there was a demolition exercise Kenyans would laud Sany and even volunteered to fuel the bulldozer to continue with its good work.

View image on Twitter

Steve
@SteveOnyango1
SANY visited langata opposite langata police station.kiosks/stalls car wash bays all gone. Run when you see the bulldozer heading your direction.
12:24 PM – Sep 26, 2018
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Sany was even personified and referred to as a human, in fact a male one.

. Dundain/Kujain

These two words became popular following the release of hit song Dundaing by Rabbit Kaka Sunguru, a Kenyan musician.

The word Dundaing is a blend os Kenya’s slang and English meaning partying while Kujain means coming.

Hazim Fareed Q
@AliQuqiiz
Nikienda Kwale County lazima ni tweet “So tonight we are in Ukunda, Dundaing”
3:19 PM – Dec 24, 2018
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4. Kitaeleweka- The term originated from Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wa Mbugu in a jibe directed to Deputy President William Ruto.

The MP was vocally telling Ruto Central Kenya owed him no debt for support in 2022, a fact which would be made bare (Kitaeleweka) in 2022.

The word literally means, it would be understood and Kenyans never hesitated to drag it to other social discourses.

Boni Khalwale
✔
@KBonimtetezi
· Dec 23, 2018
It was a great pleasure joining @WilliamsRuto at this interdenominational mass in Likuyani this morning where Ksh 8.1m was raised for faith based projects. We continue to pray for peace n stability of our nation



. Kirimino-
The word originated when nominated Nairobi Member of County Assembly Mary Njambi was caught up in a melee in efforts to oust former Speaker Beatrice Elachi.

During the push and pull Njambi apparently came eye to eye with pepper spray apparently fumigated by Elachi.

She felt the action by the Speaker was Criminal but ended up pronouncing it as Kirimino cracking many Kenyans who put the word to use, in and out of context adding to the native national vocabulary.

My Fren:
The term is a modified version of ‘My friend’.

Deputy President William Ruto and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho made the word popular courtesy of their regular usage of the phrase especially when addressing their political nemesis.

Jakadala –
This is a new word in town associated to a debunked mysterious and dangerous Sexually Transmitted Infection in Migori county.

Migori residents said they branded the mysterious disease Jakadala from name of popular Ohangla singer Musa Jakadala who sang hit song Hera Remo song loosely translated to mean ‘love runs in the blood’.

The word was used by Kenyans to mean something horrible.

Imenti House –
The word became the talk of the country after an adult video leak allegedly captured in one of business stalls at Imenti House, Nairobi went viral.




Messy and Noisy
These two words are attributable to FORD Kenya party leader and former Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetang’ula.

He used the words to threaten Opposition leader and National Super Alliance (NASA) 2017 presidential candidate Raila Odinga for scheming his ouster from lucrative House position.

Wetang’ula threatened to retaliate against Raila and his reaction would be noisy, messy and with several casualties and Kenyans thought it was a nice phrase to scare their enemies.

If you know you know
The phrase was commonly used to describe jokes and memes only familiar to a particular segment of the masses like schoolmates and workmates.

The phrase simply means that only people familiar with particular incidents would relate t some jokes or communication.

Utajau hujui
The term is loosely translated to “you will know you don’t know” and many Kenyans used it to tame individuals who try to outdo them in something.

The phrase was even use as a song title by Kenya’s hip hop star Khaligraph Jones and Msupa S.

Nitaambia nini watu
This is a popular phrase originating from The Real House helps of Kawangware comedian DJ Shiti.

It is loosely translated to ‘what will i tell people’ and is used to express regret or shame.

Handshake
The word which means hand to hand greeting became popular after Friday, March 9, when Opposition leader Raila Odinga ended dissent with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Handshake in that context symbolised end of dissent and many Kenyans used it in every context of reconciliation.

Hata sijaskia vibaya sana
The word was coined by comedian Blessed Njuguna.

It’s loosely translated to “it hasn’t hurt much”.

He used the phrase in an episode where his marriage proposal went awry, after which he consoled himself that the rejection had not hurt him much.