SLOGAN 2022: 'Mapema ndio best' and other viral Kenyan expressions

The year itself was heavy; we saw political alliances formed and crumble, we witnessed Martha Karua ascend to the highest peaks of her career, we endured an arduous political deluge, we watched a comical presidential candidate with a penchant for marijuana, we gawked at Rigathi Gachagua's tailor and we went to the polls.

In between all the drama, action and cheesy theatrics, a lot was said, from the mouths of eminent people to the mouths of everyday fellows.

Twitter, the hotbed of all things fervid, continued to breed an avalanche of memorable catchphrases and slogans which remained etched in the minds of Kenyans for months.

So, to commemorate this rollercoaster of a year, we’re counting down the most memorable slogans that followed just about every absurd cultural moment. Did it even happen if it didn't go viral? Time may pass and make fools of us all, but as the internet has proven, goofy slogans live forever.

Well, here are some of the hottest ones. They're in no particular order. I personally would vote 'Mapema Ndio Best' as the King of 2022 slogans. My colleagues here think 'Murife Don't Run' is the winner.

Whichever the case, we should thank God that, at least, we lived through these interesting times.

1. Mapema Ndio Best

Party lovers are definitely familiar with this enduring slogan. This slogan is basically a rallying cry for all lovers of a good time. It’s a clarion call, an invitation to join the party early and not miss out on a thing.

The slogan is mostly applicable from Friday evenings running through to Sunday when friends call each other, text each other and coax each other into meeting up as fast as possible.

I mean, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has already poured cold water on the clubbing mood. There, really, is no need to waste time. Mapema is, indeed, best.

2. Sina Maoni

One chilly morning, voters in Uasin Gishu queued to vote for the next President of Kenya. Citizen TV reporter Chemutai Goin happened to be reporting from the area and as duty goes, she approached one fellow in the queue, picked him out and asked him a couple of questions regarding the elections so far.

The chap, a timid-looking fellow, with a chapped face and a fiddly smile, simply answered, "Sina Maoni". His candid opinion was heard across the country and, the following day, his addled face would be emblazoned on t-shirts across Twitter.

3. Enda Uskie Vibaya na Uko

No one wants to feel some type of way. But life in Nairobi is so ignominiously humbling, you may be forced to eat humble pie week after week. This phrase, coined by comedian King Kalala, is normally thrown around to people whose bile just won't wash.

In case anything in this city is too offensive to you, and you decide to publicise your grumblings, we honestly don't care. Enda skia vibaya na huko.

4. Pulahia Maisa

Tiktok comedian Benawamalines tickled the internet when he reminded us of life's fleetingness, asking us to care less and embrace life's smallest wins more. The phrase basically asks you to enjoy life. Anyone could have said that. But it took Bena's comic ingenuity to make it the viral catchphrase it became.

5. Murife Don't Run

Anyone asking a black person to NOT run after being chased by a dog is simply not your friend. Black people run first, then ask questions later.

Therefore, when a video of a woman urging a certain 'Murife' not to run, even after seeing him in mortal danger of a dog in pursuit, people were perplexed. Everyone agreed that Murife was right in running and no one should have had any business advising him otherwise. Oh, if only we could join the chase!

6. Hii Imeenda!

Junet Mohammed has always been Raila Odinga's greatest sidekick. Also, quite the hilarious chap himself. At a rally in Kericho, June's confidence of a Raila Odinga election win saw him enthral the crowd with the phrase, 'Hii imeenda'.

He repeated it four times for good measure and the crowd, as usual, was enthused. Well, the win didn't really happen but the slogan remained. Kenyans now use it in all settings and circumstances. Like when you discover that your celebrity crush is pregnant. Time to use 'Hii imeenda'.

7. Mambo ni Mengi... Masaa ni Machache

This one is for 'sherehe' lovers too. Nairobi can be a tiring city. There are over a dozen things to do in as many places. So, it's advisable to waste as little time as possible and congregate on the more pressing matters. Like a bottle of gin at the nearest local. A busy city needs busier people.

8. Kata Sim... Tupo Site

Mzee Mjegeje is an elderly Tanzanian comedian who happened to drop a gem of a slogan. He didn't even think it would become such a universally-beloved phrase. Quickly, it caught fire. Like a molotov cocktail, it engulfed Kenya, roping in the young and old, prominent to the hoi polloi.

This phrase could be used in any context. From telling your buddies the party has already started to telling your supporters the race to State House has been won.

9. Sema Dynasty Mbaya, Hasora Ataware

Uhuru Kenyatta may be forgotten soon but he will definitely be remembered for his wry humour and sadistic sarcasm. In one of his many rib-tickling off-the-cuff addresses, Kenyatta chided the UDA campaign, mocking their 'hustler' slogan and using a very particularly amusing accent to drive his point home.

The room raptured in roaring laughter. Kenyatta's comedic shtick proved unbeatable. And the phrase still tickles Twitter to date.

10. Raira ni Msarendo

After Martha Karua was unveiled as the Azimio campaign running mate, she hit the ground running, trumpeting the Raila crusade to the furthest corners of Kenya. With her trademark Ankara dresses and oversized glasses, Karua roared the Raila gospel, reminding all and sundry of her running mate's white-as-snow credentials.

Hence the "Raila ni Mzalendo" refrain. But a Tiktoker heard it differently and his version bounced off all four walls of the country.

11. Hiyo ni Uwongo

When a speaker at a public gathering in Nandi County decided to throw around falsehoods at a gathered crowd, he was immediately slapped with a resounding, "Hio ni uongo."

The speaker, attempting to defend the Government of the Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, took to the microphone and said, "As we talk, Governor Stephen Sang has released Ksh.240 million for a bursary to the county."

Needless to say, the hungry crowd could hear none of that. And their reactions elicited the internet, with the phrase being juxtaposed to pretty much anything that was a plain, white-faced lie to Kenyans.