Mombasa is the second largest city in Kenya after the capital Nairobi. It is a place when you visit leaves you with good memories, from the beautiful coastline, beaches, hotels and puzzling names of estates that will leave you in stitches.
Mafisini.
Mafisini is a residential in Kisauni, it was a forested place before it was inhabited by people. The name Mafisini is a Swahili word which means a place where hyenas lived.
Hyenas lived in the forest but due to influx of people and residential the houses the forest was cleared and the hyenas are no longer there.
Dunga Unuse
Dunga Unuse is a residential estate in Mombasa. It was a popular joint for local brewery ” mnazi” during colonial times when there was scarcity of local brew and the local people could only afford half a bottle of mnazi.
Residents who frequented the place would say Dunga mwanusu which evolved to Dunga Unuse and later Dunga Unuse.
Stage Ya Paka
Stage ya Paka is a Swahili phrase meaning ” stage of cats”. This area is in Kisauni sub county. A whitch doctor lived in the area but never lived in peace, his family members suffered constant ailments, deaths causing him to live a sorrowful life. He later on decided to relocate to another place but he set up a trap in the house to whoever was causing him troubles.
After a few days it is said a cat stuck its head inside the pot while chasing a rat. The residents drew the attention of people who wondered how the cat stuck its head inside the pot.
Kwa Punda.
The area is found in changamwe sub county. The name originates from a strong hardworking man who used to ferry luggage from Kibarani to this place.
The man was said to have the strength of a donkey and the name has stuck to this day.
Toa Tugawe
Toa Tugawe is a residential estate in Kisauni sub county. It is said that there was a 40 man killer gang that used to terrorise people in the area.
While terrorising and stealing from people they would use a Swahili phrase toa tugawe a Swahili phrase meaning let’s share what you have.
Magodoroni
It is an estate in Kisauni sub county and its meaning is in the blankets.
Mburukenge
It is an area in Mombasa and when translated it means monitor lizard.
There are so many other estates in Mombasa with funny names which will leave you in stitches.