Mbenzi

Swahili Etymology sw :af m-<id:class 1 noun> en:Benz + 1 1, a reference to those who are able to afford expensive Mercedes-Benz cars.en sw https://www.tutor2u.net/politics/blog/global-issues-aid-and-corruption-the-wabenzi-africas-big-men Global Issues: Aid and Corruption: The Wabenzi - Africa’s Big Men Owen Moelwyn-Hughes 14th March 2010 Tutor2u The Wabenzi are Africa’s ‘Big Men’ so named from the Swahili word meaning ‘the Benz people’ - they are the ones who have their sleek cars paid for by the government. In fact, they are the government. The Wabenzi are colourful examples of corrupt government officials and thus a useful illustrative example for the topics on ‘Corruption’ and ‘Aid’. https://web.archive.org/web/20251008031405/https://www.tutor2u.net/politics/blog/global-issues-aid-and-corruption-the-wabenzi-africas-big-men 8 October 2025en sw https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2013/3/3/wabenzi-in-the-land-of-poverty-and-opulence John Kamau 3 Mar 2013 Al Jazeera Wabenzi: In the land of poverty and opulence Fifty years after independence, the Wabenzis in Kenya are still in a class of their own. They can afford a decent meal in the upmarket restaurants in Nairobi’s leafy suburbs; take their kids to schools abroad or in the local exclusive £20,000 term academies. https://web.archive.org/web/20250619103750/https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2013/3/3/wabenzi-in-the-land-of-poverty-and-opulence/ 19 June 2025en sw https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/i-wabenzi-going-on-a-spiritual-quest-in-a-mercedes/ Skye K. Moody October 7, 2005 The Seattle Times “I, Wabenzi”: Going on a spiritual quest in a Mercedes In Swahili-speaking Africa, a wabenzi is a member of the privileged class, those lucky wabwana who drive Mercedes Benzes. https://web.archive.org/web/20251008031417/https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/i-wabenzi-going-on-a-spiritual-quest-in-a-mercedes/ 8 October 2025 Noun wa Wabenzi rich person, elite person, person of high status sw sw Kenya corrupt politician References sw People