Considering unlike it's cousin arrow roots which is indigenous to Africa; it came from south america in 15-16th century; I wonder what etymology of the word.
Beans depending on where it arrived from - some call it maharangwe (if it came from coast) or ngende - internal.
Maize - Kalenjin and maasai call it pandek - it seem it came from Tanzania coast - others call it variant of mahindi - meaning it came from indian ocean.
Tobacco - almost retained it word when it came from portugal to senegal to res to of africa - almost all tribes retain a tobbaco sounding word for it.
Many crops in kenya and Africa- are either africa or from south america - coming to africa with slave trading.
Mostly tropical foods - maize, beans, some tubers, bananas....came to Africa from America in 15-16th century.
Millet, sorghum, cowpeas are original to africa..so are yams and arrow roots.
Irish potatos and wheat are new arrival from Europe.
It(or a derivative) is also used in Gusii and Luhya languages for sweet potatoes.