Kenya may have two official languages -English & Kiswahili but the country boasts a third, rather unofficial and earthbound language: Kenyan slang.
For a moment, we have to accept that Kenyans are the most creative, funny and greatest people of all time. Thereβs nothing Kenyans enjoy more than a good gossip session, where this phrase could freely be found in abundance. Some come and go like ‘Cheza kama wewe’ some are best used by certain professionals like accountants. We’ve all been told statements like: It’s in the system Haijareflect? and Unajua signatory mmoja hajasign.Β
Most time we will always come up with something to sum up everything we would want to say in our casual convos. We refer them to Kenyan proverbs, some are crypted and would have more than one meaning but can be easily understood by most of us.
With proverbs, Kenyans typically use comparisons drawn from everyday life to express some deeper meaning.
For our most cherished politicians, you would hear one say, “Hon. Y isn’t bad, it’s the people around him.”
Netizens have launched an online debate on some of the commonly used slang sayings that beautify our conversations. Other common are: Naenda hivi nacome, Ama vipi, My frend, Pambana na hali yako,
“I can tell you this for free!” ~ Kenyan proverb
β Yuri (@ArcherMishale) August 22, 2019
Below are some slang proverbs commonly used by Kenyans .
“Wacha wewe … je mimi”
β christina mutena π°πͺ (@cmutena) August 22, 2019
“Trust you me!”. Lol
β Sonii Ndung’u (@Soniisugar) August 22, 2019
“Kindly, Let’s Not Go That Direction”
β Wangai Arah β¨ (@70orSo) August 22, 2019
Take it to the Bank…
β Obura (@Obrah) August 22, 2019
‘The law is very clear!’..
β Joji Mendoza (@jojioundo) August 23, 2019
Traveling is learning. ~Kenyan Proverb
β bib365247 (@bib365247) August 23, 2019
Kenyan proverb “Naenda tao kufanya 1,2,3 hivi……”
β Allan Ng’ang’a (@nallantik) August 22, 2019