Seven Kenyans named in Africa’s 100 Most Reputable List

Seven Kenyans from Leadership, Entertainment, Advocacy, Education and Business areas have been named in the list of Africa’s top 100 most reputable personalities by ReputablePoll. The list has representation from 33 African Countries with 55 males and 45 females with Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Ghana leading by citizens named.

The seven include education cabinet secretary Amina Mohammed, Hollywood star Lupita Nyong’o, controversial Kenya Film Board Classification Board CEO Ezekiel Mutua, prominent lawyer Patrick Lumumba, Kenya Chamber of Commerce & Industry CEO Angela Ndambuki and Deputy Secretary-General (Political) at the Commonwealth Secretariat Dr. Josephine Ojiambo.

Amina Mohammed, Dr. Josephine Ojiambo, and Lupita Nyong’o are probably not a surprise to many Kenyans given their international responsibilities and achievements. Dr. Josephine Ojiambo more specifically has been acknowledged for her role in leadership alongside H.E Graça Machel DBE, Dr. Paul Enenche and Winnie Byanyima who are also featured on the list.

A surprise entry that will have many Kenyans speaking is   controversial Kenya Film Board Classification Board CEO and moral policeman Ezekiel Mutua who last year hit global headlines by burning Disney show Andi Mack due to its gay characters, ban on airplay of Sauti Sol’s song “Melanin” from Kenyan television as well as his comments on the Samantha sex robot among other topics. Both equally loved and despised Mutua has been on the forefront to ensure that only decent television programs are aired in the prescribed period in what he terms as his obligation to fight moral degradation that exposes young boys and girls to bad vices like alcohol, cigarettes, and condoms via adverts.

Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Angela Ndambuki has also been included in the list likely due to her advocacy role in the business space where she spearheads an organization with over 20,000 members part of Kenya’s private sector. As the 2^nd female CEO at KNCCI Angela leads many international delegations in search of business opportunities, partnerships, training as well as funding. Named among Kenya’s 40 under 40 women in 2017 Angela Ndambuki is one of the few intellectual property lawyers in the country, an accomplished performing and recording artist and has previously headed other bodies including the Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK).

Last on this list is eloquent lawyer Patrick Lumumba who a former Director of The Kenya School of Law and former Director of Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission. Lumumba is also an author of over a dozen books on the topics of law and politics. Just recently he was appointed the head of a 10-member task force appointed to audit Nairobi county’s Sh60 billion pending bills by Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi.

Here is the full list of those considered top 100 most reputable people in Africa:

Other very prominent personalities featured in the list include Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, Nigeria’s Prof Yemi Osibanjo, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, and Mauritius’s Ameenah Gurib.

In governance; the list features 3 African Presidents, 2 Vice Presidents, 2 former Presidents, a former Vice President, a First lady, Members of Parliament and Ministers. In Business; Strive Masiyiwa, Koos Bekker, Barclays Bank’s Patience Akyianu and Wendy Lucas Bull are represented for their works across Africa. For their fight against corruption are Ghana’s special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu and South Africa’s Public Prosecutor, Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

They are joined by others of less popularity but great potency in the vigor of their social impact, as well as Social Entrepreneurs who are transforming businesses in Africa and affecting lives positively without controversy.

By guest journalist,