This list contains the names of famous Kenyans, either born or from Kenya. The key word or conclusion is that in one way or another they have a pronounced influence on the history of the country and the world in various fields and areas of life. Let’s take a look at the comprehensive list of such Kenyans which are broken down as follows: Famous Kenyan Politicians, Famous Kenyan Freedom Heroes, Famous Kenyan Athletes, Famous Kenyan Musicians, Famous Kenyan Writers and Famous Kenyan Religious Leaders.
Here is a list of famous Kenyans that every Kenyan should be proud of
Famous Kenyan Academics
- dr Geoffrey William Griffin (born June 15, 1933 died June 28, 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’s rights activist, politician and Nobel Prize winner in 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 Exercise Science, Kenyatta University
- Prof. Bethwell Allan Ogot
- Prof. Calestous Juma, Professor of International Development Practice; 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
Famous Kenyan politicians
- Moody Awori, Vice President, August 2003 – December 2007
- Nicholas Biwott, MP, former Cabinet Secretary
- Cyrus Jirongo
- Josephat Karanja Vice-President 1988-1989
- JM Kariuki was assassinated in 1975
- Uhuru Kenyatta, son of the first President, Jomo Kenyatta and 4th President of Kenya. 2013 – to date
- Mwai Kibaki, 3rd President of Kenya December 2002 – March 2013
- Michael Wamalwa Kijana, Vice-President January 3, 2003 – August 2003
- Kenneth Matiba
- Cabinet Secretary Tom Mboya, assassinated in 1969
- Musalia Mudavadi, Vice President November 4, 2002 – December 30, 2002
- Joseph Murumbi, Vice President from 1965 to 1967
- Simeon Nyachae
- Charity Ngilu, the first woman to run for the presidency
- Raila Odinga, Former Cabinet Minister, MPs. Son of Oginga Odinga and former Prime Minister.
- Appolo Ohanga
- James Orengo
- Cabinet minister Robert Ouko assassinated in 1990
- Pio Gama Pinto: assassinated in 1965
- Charles Rubia
- George Saitoti, Vice President May 1989 – December 1997, April 1999 – August 30, 2002
- Makhan Singh, freedom fighter
- Fitz RS de Souza MP and Deputy Speaker 1963–1970
- Kalonzo Musyoka, Vice President Jan 2008 – Mar 2013
- William Ruto, Associate Vice President April 2013 – Present
- Martha Karua
- John Michuki
- Njenga Karume
- Jeremiah Nyagah, longtime Minister and MP
-
Barack Obama, US President, 2009-Present (Obama held both US and Kenyan citizenship as a child, but automatically lost his Kenyan citizenship on his 23rd birthday.
Famous Kenyan freedom heroes
- Koitalel Arap Samoei
- I, Katilili Wa Menza, Mother of the Colonial Resistance
- Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi
- Field Marshal Musa Mwariama
- General Waruhiu Itote (General China)
- Jomo Kenyatta
- JM Kariuki
- Jaramogi Oginga Odinga
- Ramogi Achieng Oneko
- Paul Ngei
- Tom Mboya
- Masinde Muliro
- Daniel Arap Moi
- Tom Mboya
Famous Kenyan athletes
- Matthew Birir
- Amos Biwott
- Mike Boit
- Richard Chelimo
- Joyce Chepchumba
- Jason Dunford
- Paul Ereng
- Julius Kariuki
- Kipchoge Keino
- Ezekiel Kemboi
- Joseph Keter
- Born and raised in Kenya, Wilson Kipketer is now a Danish citizen
- Wilson Boit Kipketer
- Moses Kiptanui
- Sally Kipyego, American runner from Texas Tech University
- Ishmael Kirui
- Samson Kitur
- Daniel Komen
- Julius Korir
- Paul Korir
- Reuben Kosgei
- Bernard Lagot
- Tegla Loroupe
- Edith Maasai
- Shekhar Mehta
- Catherine Ndereba
- Noah Ngeny
- John Ngugi
- Margaret Okayo
- Dennis Oliech, football player, now lives in France.
- Yobe’s Ondieki
- Henry Rono
- Peter Rono
- David Rudisha
- Moses Tanui
- William Tanui
- Naphtali Temu
- Paul Tergat
- Steve Tikolo, widely regarded as the best batsman outside of the Test match nations in cricket.
- Robert Wangila
- McDonald Mariga, football player based in Italy, plays at Serie A Internazionale.
- England-based footballer Victor Wanyama plays for Southampton and captains the Kenya national team.
Bonus: 14 things you need to know about Rose Muhando
Famous Kenyan musicians
- Fundi Konde
- David Kabaka
- Eric Wainaina, musician
- Henrie Mutuku
- Daniel Owino Misiani
- Suzzana Owiyo
- Tony Nyadundo
- David Mathenge et al unnamed
- ken ring
- Fadhili William of Malaika fame
- Jua Cali
- Nonini
- Roger Whittaker
- Prince Otach
- Emmy Kosgei, famous gospel artist
- Samueli Wa Muyaa, famous traditional singer
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, screenwriter and Kenyan e-book and print-on-demand pioneer
- Binyavanga Wainaina Founder and Editor of Kwani? 2002 Caine Prize Winner
- Margaret Ogola
- Ben Mutua Jonathan Muriithi aka BMJ Muriithi: American journalist. Works for VOA (USA) and NTV (Kenya)
- Henry Ole Kulet
- Miguna Miguna
Famous Kenyan religious leaders
- Cardinal John Njue
- Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga
- Archbishop John Njenga
- Evangelist Teresia Wairimu
- Bishop Alan Kiuna
- Rev Kathy Kiuna