Wiktionary
n. (context East Africa English) An elder (old person).
Usage examples of "mzee".
This was a low-key reception for the leader of the air base's host country, but Mzee Tharaka, the fabled Zarakali freedom fighter, vacillated between pomp and austerity in matters of governance, and you could never be sure what occasions would provoke which response.
The Land Rover accelerated to overtake Mzee Tharaka and his obsequious WaBenzi retinue.
A man of medium height, with no single compelling feature other than his eyes, which were penetrating and mournfully red-rimmed, Mzee Tharaka today shunned the Western-style business suits of his retainers in favor of a Sambusai toga, a gorget of monkey's teeth, a red silk cloak featuring a pattern of alternating fleur-de-lis and (of all things) golden appliqué pineapples, and a set of silver anklets, from which depended tiny effigies of the country's vanishing wildlife, an ornamental touch that reminded Joshua of the grade-school name bracelet to which his sister, Anna Monegal, had once added charms depicting a puppy, a broken heart, a pair of saddle oxfords, a football, and so on.
Some of those bothersome Sambusai who occasionally come foraging over the protectorate—well, it appears that one or two of those fellows are also in Mzee Tharaka's employ, for our President-for-Life has many eyes and ears.
So she's yours, and Mzee Tharaka has interceded to insure that no one disputes your claim to her.
Even Monicah was moved, for this was the first time in nearly three years that Mzee Tharaka had made a public appearance.