List of Kenyans
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The following list gives a categorised overview of notable people from Kenya.
Pre-colonial leaders
Anti-colonial 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, assassinated 1975
- Uhuru Kenyatta, son of the first President, Jomo Kenyatta and 4th President of Kenya, 2013–2022
- Mwai Kibaki, third President of Kenya December 2002 – March 2013
- Esau Khamati Oriedo, first served in the District House Assembly 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 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, first female to run for 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, assassinated 1990
- Pio Gama Pinto, assassinated 1965
- Charles Rubia
- George Saitoti, Vice President May 1989 – Dec 1997, April 1999 – 30 August 2002
- Makhan Singh, 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
- Mutahi Kagwe, former Member of Parliament, former Senator and former Cabinet Secretary.
- 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
Notable civil servants
- Barack Obama Sr.
- Edward H Ntalami
- Stanley Kamang Nganga
- Chris Kirubi
- Margaret Nyakang'o
- Muthui Kariuki
Academics, scientists and medical professionals
- Ali Mazrui
- Amina Abubakar
- Bethwell Allan Ogot
- Borna Nyaoke-Anoke
- Calestous Juma
- Charity Wayua
- Paula Kahumbu
- Davy Kiprotich Koech
- Dorothy Wanja Nyingi
- Elizabeth Gitau
- Esther Ngumbi
- Evelyn Gitau
- Fardosa Ahmed
- Gladys Ngetich
- Hope Mwanake
- Jemimah Kariuki, doctor[2]
- Louise Leakey
- Richard Leakey
- Juliet Obanda Makanga
- Leah Marangu
- Maina wa Kinyatti
- Margaret Ogola
- Phoebe Okowa
- Mary Abukutsa-Onyango
- Moses Rugut
- Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
- Ng'endo Mwangi
- Peter Amollo Odhiambo
- Reuben Olembo
- Miriam Were
- Stellah Wairimu Bosire-Otieno
- Steven Runo
- Teresia Mbaika Malokwe
- Thomas R. Odhiambo
- Washington Yotto Ochieng
- Winnie Apiyo
- Bildad Bosire
Religious leaders
- Cardinal John Njue
- Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga
- Archbishop John Njenga
- Judy Mbugua (born 1947), chair of the Pan African Christian Women Alliance
Business people and entrepreneurs
- 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
Sports persons
- Elisha Barno, distance runner
- Matthew Birir
- Amos Biwott
- Mike Boit
- Richard Chelimo
- Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, 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
- Eliud Kipchoge, marathon world record holder
- 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 America, plays for Vancouver Whitecaps in the country's top flight soccer league "Major league Soccer "and captains the Kenya national team
- Biko Adema, national rugby team player
Environmentalists and conservationists
- Elizabeth Wathuti
- Maina Macharia
- George Adamson
- Helen Gichohi
- Ikal Angelei
- Joy Adamson
- Daphne Sheldrick
- Phyllis Omido
- Saba Douglas-Hamilton
- Wangari Maathai
- Wanjira Mathai
Musicians
- Timothy "Ennovator" Rimbui
- Eric Wainaina
- Juacali
- Jimw@t
- Otile Brown
- Nyashinski
- Sauti Sol
- Elani
- Henrie Mutuku
- Naiboi
- Sanaipei Tande
- Size 8
- Gloria Muliro
- Mbuvi
- Nameless
- PinkPantheress
- Wakadinali
- Suzanna Owiyo
- Amani Gracious
Writers and playwrights
- Abel Mutua
- 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 media personalities
- Catherine Kasavuli
- Cyprian Nyakundi
- Farida Karoney
- Hilary Ng'weno
- Janet Mbugua
- Jeff Koinange
- Julie Gichuru
- Kui Kinyanjui
- Linus Kaikai
- Mwenda Njoka
- Ory Okolloh
- Pamella Makotsi-Sittani
- Patrick Gathara
- Priya Ramrakha
- Robert Alai
- Xtian Dela
- Zain Verjee
- Idah Waringa
Actors and actresses
- Avril (singer)
- Khaleed Abdul
- 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
- Deep Roy
- Sal Hants
References
- ^ Coy, Peter (13 December 2021). "Opinion | Education Is Like a Beautiful Garden". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
- ^ "'I couldn't let women die in childbirth'". BBC News. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ "Catherine Ndereba Bio, Stats, and Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ "Margaret OKAYO | Profile". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved 8 April 2020.