Kukamatwa
koo-kah-MAH-twah /ku.kɑ.ˈmɑ.tʷɑ/
"Kukamatwa" is Sheng for to be caught (also: to be arrested).
Meaning
- verb to be caught, to be arrested. To be grabbed — by police, by a security guard, or by a teacher when you were bunking.
Examples
- Rafiki yangu amekamatwa jana. My friend was arrested yesterday.
- Usikamatwe na mwalimu nje ya skuli. Don't get caught by the teacher outside school.
Similar and opposite words
Where it comes from
Swahili 'kukamata' (to catch) in passive form.
How it was made: Swahili base.
Questions about Kukamatwa
What does Kukamatwa mean in Sheng?
"Kukamatwa" is Sheng for to be caught (also: to be arrested). To be grabbed — by police, by a security guard, or by a teacher when you were bunking.
How do you use Kukamatwa in a sentence?
"Rafiki yangu amekamatwa jana." means "My friend was arrested yesterday."
How do you pronounce Kukamatwa?
Say it koo-kah-MAH-twah (/ku.kɑ.ˈmɑ.tʷɑ/). Sheng is spelled the way it sounds, with stress on the second-to-last syllable.
Where does the word Kukamatwa come from?
Swahili 'kukamata' (to catch) in passive form.
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To quote this page: “Kukamatwa.” Shengwords Sheng Dictionary, updated 2026-11-10. https://shengwords.co.ke/word/kukamatwa (accessed 2026-11-10).