KISWAHILI FOR BEGINNERS: ‘Kiti cha urais’

Meaning (English):“Kiti cha urais” means “the presidential seat/office”. It refers to the position, authority, or role of being a president, not a physical chair. It symbolizes power, leadership, and responsibility of the presidency.

Origin:The phrase comes from Swahili, where kiti means seat or chair, but is also used figuratively to mean a position of power.Similar expressions exist in many African languages, where a seat symbolizes leadership (e.g., kiti cha uongozi = leadership seat).“Urais” comes from the Swahili root raisi (president), influenced by the Arabic word ra’īs meaning leader or chief.

How to use in a sentence:Swahili: Wanasiasa wengi wanawania kiti cha urais katika uchaguzi ujao.English: Many politicians are competing for the presidential seat in the upcoming election.

Swahili: Kiti cha urais kinahitaji uongozi wenye hekima na maadili.English: The presidential seat requires wise and ethical leadership.

Swahili: Baada ya uchaguzi, alichaguliwa kushika kiti cha urais.English: After the election, he was elected to hold the presidential seat.