There are moments when some phrases sweep the whole nation so that no conversation goes without a Kenyan mentioning this phrase. These trending words and phrases will always be in most of the conversations taking place whether in person or on social media. Though they are usually short-lived, they are generally good as they last.
Here are some of the recent phrases
1. Mapema ndio best
This is a phrase that was birthed in the year 2022. This phrase has trended throughout the year and became more popular during the electioneering period. Every time a Kenyan wanted to insist on punctuality, this was the most appropriate phrase.
2. Hii imeenda
A mention of this phrase brings the Politician Junnet Mohamed to mind. During the campaign, he used this phrase to convince the people they were on the same side that a win was imminent.
People used this phrase to insinuate they anticipated happening would indeed happen or has already happened.
3. Kata simu, Tupo site
This phrase hit Kenya to the extent that artists made a song. A Tanzanian comedian by the name of Mzee Mjegeje coined it.
Kenyans have used this phrase to mean several things ranging from “we can talk later” to “so much is going on right now” to “we are on location” and “things are going down”.
4. Sina Maoni
This phrase was birthed during voting day. A news reporter asked a voter lining up to vote what he thought about the whole process. The man replied by saying, “Sina maoni”, in English, meaning I have no opinion. From then, the phrase became popular, from conversations to social media trends.
5. Wueh!
This word had been around for quite some time but gained some popularity when a Kenyan requested Mark Zuckerberg to add an Emoji. Sometimes, life can be too much that one lacks perfect words to communicate what is going on; this is the word to use in such an instance. When you witness something your mouth cannot put into words, this is the word to go for.
6. Ni God tu
This one came to be when people realized that long explanations could be avoided when telling people about something good that happened in their life. When one got a breakthrough and was asked how it all happened, the phrase “Ni God Tu” came in handy.
7. Anza kuzoea
Whether one likes or dislikes an eminent reality, there is little one can do to prevent it from happening. This phrase in English means, “Start getting used to…”.
Francis Atwoli coined this phrase during the campaigning period when he told people in a rally to start getting used to their new president, who happened to be his favourite candidate.
@tv47_ke FRANCIS Atwoli: “Niliambia wakenya wazoee sauti ya Raila kumbe sikujua nitarudi hapa kuwaambia mzoee sauti ya Ruto. Sisi tulienda kulala tukijua tumeshinda, kumbe sisi tunafanya siasa ambayo haina ujuzi.” #tv47 #KenyaDecides2022 ♬ original sound – TV47
8. Murife
Murife is a word with a whole mental picture of someone running for their life. This word, associated with running for one’s life, came into being following a compilation of videos of people running from danger. The visuals are not it, though; the core of the video is the voice of a woman in the background shouting and pleading with the man called Murife not to run. People have used this word to mean running from danger, which in different instances were toxic relationships, jobs, and more.
These trending words and phrases usually come from the least unexpected contexts and within no time, the majority of Kenyans are using them. One can never tell how long these ones will last, and we will wait to see what new ones will come up in the next few months.
Here are more articles on online spaces
5 Phrases That Are Distinctly Kenyan
17 Types Of Kenyans You Are Likely To Meet In A Club
10 Types Of People You Are Likely To Meet In A Matatu
9 Types Of People You Are Likely To Meet At A Wedding
16 Types Of People You Will Find In A Kenyan Church
15 Types Of Friends We All Have. What Role Do You Play In Your Circle of Friends?
