Slang
Glossary

A customized, flashy matatu with unique paint jobs, sound systems, and LED lights

"Have you seen that new Nganya on Route 33? Pure fire!"

A passionate fan or supporter of a specific Nganya

"Wamlambez maniacs always show up at the terminus."

A group of young men who hang around matatu stages looking for fun

"The mafisi were waiting at Kencom for the evening rush."

To drive very fast, sometimes recklessly

"The driver was tearing through Mombasa Road!"

To pull up or arrive at a stage

"The 33 kuvuta'd at Kencom and packed instantly."

To cause traffic or block the road

"That broken-down matatu chafua'd the whole of Thika Road."

A conductor — the person who collects payments

"Mguu, how much to Ruiru?"

Party atmosphere inside a Nganya with loud music and lights

"That Nganya is pure sherehe — you can hear it from a block away!"

When a matatu is full and won't take more passengers

"I was late and the matatu was already full."

A designated stop where matatus pick up passengers

"Meet me at the next stage, I'll be waiting."

Hanging decorations or beads from the rearview mirror of a Nganya

"Check out the beads on that Nganya — so colorful!"

Money, cash (slang)

"Mguu, I don't have dust right now, M-Pesa?"

To arrive somewhere, especially the CBD

"We tukutuked at Railways station around 6pm."

To check or look at something

"Kucheki that new route on the app."

A boda boda (motorcycle taxi)

"Since the matatu was full, I took a nduthi instead."

A car or vehicle in general

"Which gari goes to Kikuyu from here?"

Alternative name for mguu — the payment collector

"The conductor was shouting the destinations."

A vegetable vendor, often found near matatu stages

"I buy my sukuma wiki from the mama mboga near the stage."