CODED ONLINE LANGUAGE

Slang built to slip past moderators, not past you

Perpetrators weaponize Sheng, colloquial Kiswahili, and euphemisms to evade algorithmic censorship. Search Kenya’s documented index of coded terms, cultural nuances, and statutory definitions

A

Amekula Block: A phrase used to describe when someone has been blocked for their comment by the social media user.

Anakaa venye anataka: A phrase used in an abusive manner to call someone ugly.

Asalimiwe: A phrase used to encourage harassment through doxxing and spamming especially after a politically incorrect issue.

H

Hana sura: A phrase used to suggest that someone is ugly.

J

Jidishi: A phrase used to suggest that someone especially a woman should go and sleep with themselves as a result of turning down unwanted sexual advances.

K

Kanono: A word used to describe someone as being fat with the intention of body shaming them.

Kamati ya roho chafu: A phrase used to describe jealous people.

Kinembe: A word used to describe the female clitoris in a derogatory manner.

Kugongewa: A phrase used to describe engaging in sexual activity with another person’s partner.

Kulana: It suggests having sexual intercourse.

Kuma: A word used to describe the female genitalia and is used in an abusive manner to refer to someone behaving in an “effeminate” manner.

Kwani unanyesha: A phrase used to insinuate that a woman is moody because she is menstrauting.

M

Mechi: A word used to suggest sexual intercourse.

Malaya/Milayas: A word used to describe women and suggest that they are engaging in prostituting behaviour.

N

Nionjeshe: A phrase that bears sexual connotation, used to solicit unwanted sexual advances to women in an unwanted and coercive manner.

Nyege: A word to label women as overly sexual.

P

Pochi: This is used to suggest that women use their sexual organs to obtain money.

Poko: A word used in an abusive manner to label a woman as a prostitute and immoral.

S

Senye: A word used to describe the female genital organs in a derogatory manner.

Sura personal: A phrase used to suggest that someone is ugly.

U

Uko na mdomo sana: A phrase used to describe someone as being too vocal in a disapproved manner.

Umama: It used to describe behavior perceived as overly dramatic, emotional that is socially associated to women.

Unakaa kunuka: A phrase used to suggest that someone looks they are unhygienic.

Unajiona keki/sukari: A phrase used to describe someone as playing hard to get.

Utakufa vibaya wewe: A phrase used to describe that someone will die miserably.

Usherati: A word that is used to refer to someone as immoral and/or promiscuous.