People

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    Here is a categorized list of the most notable people in Kenya. Please help improve this article by joining the discussions on this page.

    Colonial-era Leaders


    • Koitalel Arap Samoei
    • Mekatilili Wa Menza
    • Nabongo Mumia
    • Waiyaki Wa Hinga

    Anti-colonialist activists


    • Bildad Kaggia
    • Dedan Kimathi
    • Dennis Akumu
    • Elijah Omolo Agar
    • Esau Khamati Oriedo
    • Fitz Remedios Santana de Souza
    • Fred Kubai
    • Harry Thuku
    • Jaramogi Oginga Odinga
    • John Keen (Kenya politician)
    • Jomo Kenyatta
    • Joseph Murumbi
    • J.M. Kariuki
    • Kung'u Karumba
    • Makhan Singh (Kenyan trade unionist)
    • Martin Shikuku
    • Mary Muthoni Nyanjiru
    • Masinde Muliro
    • Musa Mwariama
    • Ochola Ogaye Mak'Anyengo
    • Paul Ngei
    • Pio Gama Pinto
    • Ramogi Achieng Oneko
    • Stanley Mathenge
    • Tom Mboya
    • Wambui Otieno
    • Waruhiu Itote

    Politicians


    • Moody Awori, Vice President, August 2003–December 2007
    • Nicholas Biwott, Member of Parliament, former Cabinet Ministère
    • Cyrus Jirongo
    • Josephat Karanja, Vice President 1988–1989
    • J. M. Kariuki was assassinated in 1975
    • Uhuru Kenyatta, son of the first President, Jomo Kenyatta and 4th President of Kenya, 2013–present
    • Mwai Kibaki, third President of Kenya December 2002 – March 2013
    • Esau Khamati Oriedo, first served in the District House Assembly of the Local Native Council (LNC) of North Nyanza; original member of KAU progenitor to KANU.
    • Michael Wamalwa Kijana, Vice President 3 January 2003 – August 2003
    • Catherine Omanyo, Member of Parliament and school founder[1]
    • Ochola Ogaye Mak'Anyengo, Member of Parliament, Assistant Cabinet Minister
    • John Mwirichia
    • Tom Mboya, Cabinet Minister, assassinated in 1969
    • Kenneth Matiba
    • Musalia Mudavadi, Vice President 4 November 2002 – 30 December 2002
    • Joseph Murumbi, Vice President 1965–1967
    • Simeon Nyachae
    • Daisy Nyongesa (born 1989), senator
    • Charity Ngilu, the first female to run for the presidency
    • Raila Odinga, former Cabinet Minister, Member of Parliament. Son of Oginga Odinga and former Prime Minister
    • Esther Passaris
    • Quincy Timberlake, President, Platinum Centraliser and Unionist Party of Kenya
    • Appolo Ohanga
    • James Orengo
    • Robert Ouko, Cabinet Minister, was assassinated in 1990
    • Pio Gama Pinto was assassinated in 1965
    • Charles Rubia
    • George Saitoti, Vice President May 1989 – Dec 1997, April 1999 – 30 August 2002
    • Makhan Singh, a freedom fighter
    • Fitz R S de Souza, Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker 1963–1970
    • Kalonzo Musyoka, Vice President Jan 2008 – March 2013
    • William Ruto, Deputy Vice-President April 2013–present
    • Martha Karua
    • John Michuki
    • Njenga Karume
    • Jeremiah Nyagah, long-serving cabinet minister and member of Parliament
    • Harry Thuku
    • Koigi Wa Wamwere
    • Martin Nyaga Wambora, first Governor of Embu, former chairman of Kenya Airports Authority, successful Runyenjes MP and noted former Kenyan trade secretary
    • Samuel Kivuitu, Electoral Commissioner of Kenya (2013)
    • Prof. Crispus Makau Kiamba, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Government of Kenya from 2008 to 2013.

    Activists


    • Auma Obama
    • Boniface Mwangi
    • Esau Khamati Oriedo
    • Samwel Mohochi, human rights lawyer
    • Ciiru Waithaka CEO of Funkidz
    • Eric Njuguna, Climate Activist
    • Okiya Omtatah Okoiti

    Famous Public Officials


    • Barack Obama Sr.
    • Edward H Ntalami
    • Stanley Kamang Nganga
    • Chris Kirubi
    • Margaret Nyakang'o
    • Muthui Kariuki

    Academics, scientists, medics


    • Ali Mazrui
    • Amina Abubakar
    • Bethwell Allan Ogot
    • Borna Nyaoke-Anoke
    • Calestous Juma
    • Charity Wayua
    • Davy Kiprotich Koech
    • Dorothy Wanja Nyingi
    • Elizabeth Gitau
    • Esther Ngumbi
    • Evelyn Gitau
    • Fardosa Ahmed
    • Gladys Ngetich
    • Hope Mwanake
    • Jemimah Kariuki, doctor[2]
    • Juliet Obanda Makanga
    • Leah Marangu
    • Louise Leakey
    • Maina wa Kinyatti
    • Margaret Ogola
    • Mary Abukutsa-Onyango
    • Miriam Were
    • Moses Rugut
    • Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
    • Ng'endo Mwangi
    • Paula Kahumbu
    • Peter Amollo Odhiambo
    • Reuben Olembo
    • Richard Leakey
    • Stellah Wairimu Bosire-Otieno
    • Steven Runo
    • Teresia Mbaika Malokwe
    • Thomas R. Odhiambo
    • Washington Yotto Ochieng
    • Winnie Apiyo
    • Bildad Bosire

    Spiritual leaders


    • Cardinal John Njue
    • Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga
    • Archbishop John Njenga
    • Judy Mbugua (born 1947), chair of the Pan African Christian Women Alliance

    Entrepreneurs and businesspeople


    • Benson Wairegi
    • Chris Kirubi
    • Dominic Kiarie
    • Eric Kinoti
    • Esther Muchemi
    • Isis Nyong'o
    • James Mwangi
    • James Mworia
    • Jamila Abbas
    • Mubarak Muyika
    • Muhoho Kenyatta
    • Peter Ndegwa
    • Pradeep Paunrana
    • Rosemary Odinga
    • Samuel Kamau Macharia
    • Sauda Rajab
    • Susan Oguya
    • Trushar Khetia
    • Wilfred Musau

    People in sports


    • Elisha Barno, distance runner
    • Matthew Birir
    • Amos Biwott
    • Mike Boit
    • Richard Chelimo
    • Lonah Chemtai, Kenyan-Israeli Olympic marathon runner
    • Joyce Chepchumba
    • Jason Dunford
    • Paul Ereng
    • Chris Froome
    • John Rugoiyo Gichuki
    • Mbarak Hussein, born in Kenya, now a U.S. citizen, long-distance runner,
    • Ben Jipcho
    • Julius Kariuki
    • Kipchoge Keino
    • Ezekiel Kemboi
    • Joseph Keter
    • Wilson Kipketer, born and raised in Kenya, now a citizen of Denmark
    • Wilson Boit Kipketer
    • Moses Kiptanui
    • Sally Kipyego, All American runner for Texas Tech University
    • Ismael Kirui
    • Samson Kitur
    • Daniel Komen
    • Julius Korir
    • Paul Korir
    • Reuben Kosgei
    • Bernard Lagat
    • Tegla Loroupe
    • Edith Masai
    • Shekhar Mehta
    • Catherine Ndereba (born 1972), marathon runner[3]
    • Noah Ngeny
    • John Ngugi
    • Margaret Okayo (born 1976), marathon runner[4]
    • Dennis Oliech, soccer player now based in France
    • Yobes Ondieki
    • Dominic Ondoro, distance runner
    • Henry Rono
    • Peter Rono
    • David Rudisha
    • Moses Tanui
    • William Tanui
    • Naftali Temu
    • Paul Tergat
    • Steve Tikolo, widely regarded in cricket as the best batsman outside of the test playing nations
    • Robert Wangila
    • McDonald Mariga, soccer player now based in Italy, plays for Serie A club Internazionale
    • Victor Wanyama, soccer player now based in England, plays for Southampton and captains the Kenya national team
    • Biko Adema, national rugby team player

    Ecologists and conservationists


    • Elizabeth Wathuti
    • George Adamson
    • Helen Gichohi
    • Ikal Angelei
    • Joy Adamson
    • Daphne Sheldrick
    • Phyllis Omido
    • Saba Douglas-Hamilton
    • Wangari Maathai
    • Wanjira Mathai

    Musicians


    • Akothee
    • Avril
    • Ayub Ogada
    • Cece Sagini
    • Daddy Owen
    • David Mathenge, a.k.a. Nameless
    • Daudi Kabaka
    • DJ Fita
    • Eric Wainaina
    • E-Sir
    • Fadhili William
    • Fundi Konde
    • George Ramogi
    • Gloria Muliro
    • Harry Kimani
    • Jabali Afrika
    • Jason Dunford
    • Jua Cali
    • Kavirondo
    • King Kaka
    • Kleptomaniax
    • Mejja
    • Mighty King Kong
    • Monski
    • Muroki
    • Musa Juma
    • Naiboi
    • Necessary Noize
    • Okatch Biggy
    • Otile Brown
    • Princess Jully
    • Redsan
    • Roger Whittaker
    • Sanaipei Tande
    • Sauti Sol
    • Size 8
    • Stella Mwangi
    • Suzzana Owiyo
    • Tony Nyadundo
    • Wahu
    • Wanyika bands, including Simba Wanyika and its offshoots
    • Willy Paul
    • Wyre

    Authors and screenwriters


    • Asenath Bole Odaga
    • Binyavanga Wainaina
    • Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha
    • Charity Waciuma
    • Charles Mangua
    • Clifton Gachagua
    • Grace Ogot
    • Hazel de Silva Mugot
    • Iman Verjee
    • Khadambi Asalache
    • Kinyanjui Kombani
    • Koigi wa Wamwere
    • Kuki Gallmann
    • Makena Onjerika
    • Margaret Ogola
    • Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye
    • Meja Mwangi
    • Micere Githae Mugo
    • Moraa Gitaa
    • Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ
    • Mwangi Ruheni
    • Nanjala Nyabola,
    • Ngugi wa Mirii
    • Ngugi Wa Thiong'o
    • Rocha Chimera
    • Shailja Patel
    • Tony Mochama
    • Wangui wa Goro
    • Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor

    Journalists, bloggers, and other media personalities


    • Catherine Kasavuli
    • Cyprian Nyakundi
    • Farida Karoney
    • Hilary Ng'weno
    • Janet Mbugua
    • Jeff Koinange
    • Julie Gichuru
    • Kui Kinyanjui
    • Linus Kaikai
    • Ory Okolloh
    • Pamella Makotsi-Sittani
    • Patrick Gathara
    • Priya Ramrakha
    • Robert Alai
    • Xtian Dela
    • Zain Verjee

    Celebrities and Others


    • Avril (singer)
    • Abby Cherop Ruto
    • Charles Gitonga Maina
    • Christopher Okinda
    • Eddy Kimani
    • Edi Gathegi
    • Edwin Mahinda
    • John Sibi-Okumu
    • Joseph Olita
    • Kiran Shah
    • Lupita Nyong'o
    • Maqbul Mohammed
    • Nana Gichuru
    • Nini Wacera
    • Oliver Litondo
    • Patricia Kihoro
    • Jackie Nyaminde
    • Paul Onsongo
    • Raymond Ofula
    • Sarah Hassan
    • Sidede Onyulo

    Reference


    1. Members of National Assembly | The Kenyan Parliament Website. (n.d.). Members of National Assembly | The Kenyan Parliament Website; www.parliament.go.ke. Retrieved July 9, 2022, from http://www.parliament.go.ke/the-national-assembly/mps
    2. List of Kenyans - Wikipedia. (2020, November 1). List of Kenyans - Wikipedia; en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Kenyans
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