List of Kenyans

The following list gives a categorised overview of notable people from Kenya.

Pre-colonial leaders

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

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
• 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
• 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
• Noah Ngeny
• John Ngugi
• Margaret Okayo (born 1976), marathon runner
• 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)
• 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

See also

• List of Kenyan artists
• List of writers from Kenya