List of Kenyans: Most Notable People from Kenya

Kenya has produced many notable people who have made significant contributions to various fields. This is a comprehensive list of Kenyans in many different categories. This list will be updated regularly.

To learn more about each person, simply click on their name in the list below. You’ll be directed to a detailed article that explores their life, accomplishments, and the legacy.

From freedom fighters and political leaders to groundbreaking scientists, controversial persons, innovative entrepreneurs, and world-renowned athletes, this list showcases the diversity and excellence of Kenyans who have shaped the nation and inspired others around the world.

Click here to submit a list or lists ideas.

Colonial-era Leaders

• Koitalel Arap Samoei¹

• 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 founder²
• 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

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• 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

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

Click here to submit a list or lists ideas.

Academics, scientists, medics

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• 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

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Here is a list of some notable religions leaders in Kenya:

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

Entrepreneurs and businesspeople

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• 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

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• 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

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

List of Kenyans: Musicians

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• 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

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• 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

Click here to submit a list or lists ideas.

Journalists, bloggers, and other media personalities

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• 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

YouTubers In Kenya

Here is a list of top Kenyan YouTubers (not ranked).

• Lynn Ngugi
• Mungai Eve
• Richy Haniel
• Jim Nduruchi RUS
• Farhaan Haji
• Victor Mochere
• Andrew Kibe

Celebrities and Others

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• Avril (singer)
• Abby Cherop Ruto³
• 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

Comedians

• Daniel Wambua Ndambuki (Churchill)
• Timothy Kimani Ndegwa (Njugush)
• Eric Omondi
• Erastus Ayieko Otieno (Flaqo)
• Kimani Terrence (Terrence Creative)
• Felix Odiwuor (Jalang’o)
• Kartelo
• Victor Naman
• Henry Desagu
• Ruth Kirathe
• Propesa
• Mulamwa
• Ronoh Chebet
• Seth Gor
• Teacher Wajiku
• DJ Shiti
• Cartoon Comedian
• Bena Wa Malines
• Jacky Vike (Awinja)
• Charles Bukeko (Papa Shirandula)
• Vincent Mutwiri (Vinnie Baite)

References

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1. List of Kenyans – Wikipedia. (2023, November 1). List of Kenyans – Wikipedia; en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Kenyans ↩︎
2. 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 ↩︎
3. Kenyan Wikipedia – 2024. List of people. https://kenyansonline.com/index.php?ewr-carta/people/ ↩︎