Kiambu County is a county in the former Central Province of Kenya. Its haedquater is Kiambu and its largest town is Thika.
The county is adjacent to the northern boarder of Nairobi County and is mostly inhabited by the Kikuyu community though it is a metropolitan county.
Many visitors in the county feel a little bit odd when residents talk to them in Gikuyu yet they cannot understand a single word hence the need to know simple Gikuyu words mostly used in the county just to make sure you blend in and not feel left out.
Here are simple Gikuyu words you should know before visiting Kiambu County.
'Niatia': This is an informal greeting mostly used by the youths to mean 'hi'.
'Wi mwega ruciini/kiroko': When someone tells you 'Wi mwega ruciini' or 'Wi mwega kiroko' he/she is simply saying good morning.
'We mwega umuthi': This simply means how are you today.
'Wi mwega hwaiini': This simply means good evening.
'Wi mwega': When someone tells you 'wi mwega' he/she is simply asking how are you.
'Ndi mwega': When you are asked 'how are you' and you want to respond by saying you are fine in Gikuyu you simply say 'ndi mwega'
'Ni ngatho': When someone does you good it is good manners to appreciate. To say thank you in Gikuyu you simply say 'Ni ngatho'
'Ningwendete': To the lovebirds if you are dating a Kikuyu man or woman from Kiambu Town surprise him/her by saying 'ningwendete'. This means I love you.
'Mbeca cigana': There are a number of businesses taking place in Kiambu Town. To ask for the price of a commodity in Kiambu County you simply say 'mbeca cigana' as this simply means how much is this?
'Uka haha': When you want to call someone in Gikuyu, just say 'uka haha'. This means come here!