This list contains the names of famous Kenyans, either born or originating from Kenya. The keyword or bottom line here is that they have in one way or the other made a pronounced influence in the history of the country and the world at large in diverse fields and works of life. Let’s take a look at the comprehensive list of such Kenyans, they are subdivided into the following: Famous Kenyan Politicians, Famous Kenyan Freedom Heroes, Famous Kenyan Sportspersons, Famous Kenyan Musicians, Famous Kenyan Writers and Famous Kenyan Religious leaders.
Here’s a List of Famous Kenyans Every Kenyan Should be Proud of
Famous Kenyan Academics
- Dr. Geoffrey William Griffin (born 15 June 1933 died 28 June 2005)
- Louis Leakey, paleontologist
- Dr. Meave G Leakey, paleontologist
- Mary Douglas Leakey, paleontologist
- Dr. Richard Leakey, paleontologist, environmentalist, politician and former Director of Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS)
- Prof. Wangari Maathai, (born 1940), environmentalist, women rights activist, politician and Nobel Prize winner 2004
- Prof. Ali Mazrui
- Ratemo Michieka
- Prof. Peter Amollo Odhiambo, thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon
- Prof. Thomas R. Odhiambo, entomologist and environmental scientist
- Florence Wambugu (born 1953), plant pathologist and virologist
- Prof. Mike Boit, Department of Sports Science, Kenyatta University
- Prof. Bethwell Allan Ogot
- Prof. Calestous Juma, Professor of the Practice of International Development; Director, Science, Technology, Globalization, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University
- Dr. Davy Koech, former KEMRI director
- Dr. Taita Towett
- Prof. Paul Musau, Data Networks
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Famous Kenyan Politicians
- Moody Awori, Vice President, August 2003 – December 2007
- Nicholas Biwott, Member of Parliament, Former Cabinet Minister
- Cyrus Jirongo
- Josephat Karanja Vice president 1988–1989
- J. M. Kariuki was assassinated 1975
- Uhuru Kenyatta, son of the first President, Jomo Kenyatta and 4th President of Kenya. 2013 – to date
- Mwai Kibaki, 3rd President of Kenya Dec 2002 – March 2013
- Michael Wamalwa Kijana, Vice President 3 January 2003 – Aug 2003
- Kenneth Matiba
- Tom Mboya, Cabinet Minister, assassinated 1969
- Musalia Mudavadi, Vice President 4 November 2002 – 30 December 2002
- Joseph Murumbi, Vice President 1965–1967
- Simeon Nyachae
- Charity Ngilu, first female to run for presidency
- Raila Odinga, former Cabinet Minister, Member of Parliament. Son of Oginga Odinga and former Prime Minister.
- 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, Apr 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 – to date
- Martha Karua
- John Michuki
- Njenga Karume
- Jeremiah Nyagah, long-serving cabinet minister and member of Parliament
- Barack Obama, US President, 2009 – to date (Obama held both U.S. and Kenyan citizenship as a child but lost his Kenyan citizenship automatically on his 23rd birthday.
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Famous Kenyan Freedom Heroes
- Koitalel Arap Samoei
- Me Katilili Wa Menza, Mother of colonial resistance
- Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi
- Field Marshal Musa Mwariama
- General Waruhiu Itote (General China)
- Jomo Kenyatta
- J.M. Kariuki
- Jaramogi Oginga Odinga
- Ramogi Achieng Oneko
- Paul Ngei
- Tom Mboya
- Masinde Muliro
- Daniel Arap Moi
- Tom Mboya
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Famous Kenyan Sportspersons
- Matthew Birir
- Amos Biwott
- Mike Boit
- Richard Chelimo
- Joyce Chepchumba
- Jason Dunford
- Paul Ereng
- 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
- Noah Ngeny
- John Ngugi
- Margaret Okayo
- Dennis Oliech, soccer player now based in France.
- Yobes Ondieki
- 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.
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Famous Kenyan Musicians
- Fundi Konde
- David Kabaka
- Eric Wainaina, musician
- Henrie Mutuku
- Daniel Owino Misiani
- Suzzana Owiyo
- Tony Nyadundo
- David Mathenge a.k.a. Nameless
- Ken Ring
- Fadhili William of Malaika fame
- Jua Cali
- Nonini
- Roger Whittaker
- Prince Otach
- Emmy Kosgei, celebrity gospel artist
- Samueli Wa Muyaa, celebrity traditional singer
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Famous Kenyan Writers
- Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o
- Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye
- Meja Mwangi
- Gitura Mwaura: Development writer and journalist
- M.G. Vassanji
- Grace Ogot
- Alexander Nderitu: Novelist, scriptwriter and Kenyan e-book and Print on Demand pioneer
- Binyavanga Wainaina founder and editor of Kwani? winner of Caine Prize 2002
- Margaret Ogola
- Ben Mutua Jonathan Muriithi alias BMJ Muriithi: US-based Kenyan Journalist. Works for VOA (US) and NTV (Kenya)
- Henry Ole Kulet
- Miguna Miguna
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Famous Kenyan Religious leaders
- Cardinal John Njue
- Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga
- Archbishop John Njenga
- Evangelist Teresia Wairimu
- Bishop Allan Kiuna
- Rev. Kathy Kiuna
