Google recently released the list of what Kenyans have been searching on google through the year. A lot has happened, and in this article, we take a look at the top ten most searched Kenyan personalities of 2019 according to Google’s list.
These Kenyan personalities were google-searched most by their fellow Kenyans:
- Eliud Kipchoge
The reason long-distance marathoner Eliud Kipchoge was the most searched Kenyan this year was because of the Ineos challenge that got the whole world eager to see whether he could break his own 2:01:39 record that he set on 16 September 2018 at the Berlin marathon.
In the sub two hour challenge, he said in all humility, ‘I don’t know where the limits are, but I would like to go there.’ And he surely outdid himself. ‘No human is limited’ is what he taught the whole world.
- Bob Collymore
The late Safaricom CEO’s death that occurred on 1st July 2019 shook the country. Bob Collymore topped the list of the most googled Kenyan personalities this year. His death got Kenyans reading about the disease that killed him, his times at Safaricom where he is said to have driven the company to great heights during his tenure as CEO, his requiem mass and his fun moments.
- Ken Okoth
The late Member of Parliament for Kibra constituency who had suffered from Colon Cancer and eventually died from the disease was one of the most searched personalities this year.
During his cancer treatment in France, he came open about what was ailing him and even updated Kenyans on social media about his condition.
At the time of his death, his constituents heaped praises on him saying he was the best MP Kibra ever had. Kenyans must have also searched about Ken Okoth’s other wife and son.
- Joyce Laboso
The late Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso had taken time off duty to receive cancer treatment in the United Kingdom and India, after which she was brought back home and died shortly afterward.
The former French lecturer’s death to cancer, as well as those of Bob Collymore and Ken Okoth, shaped conversations on the scourge that is currently the country’s number one killer.
- John DeMathew
The late Benga musician, John Ng’ang’a Mwangi, aka John DeMathew died in a tragic road accident at the Thika Superhighway.
He was known for composing controversial and political songs, which were said to rub people from his community and outside his community the wrong way.
Having released 50 albums and 375 songs in his lifetime, he was loved by lovers of Kikuyu music who eulogized him as a legend who will never be replaced.
- Tob Cohen
News about the death of a Dutch business tycoon hit the headlines a few months ago. The tycoon, who was found murdered and his body dumped in an underground water tank in his home in Kitisuru had married a Kenyan lady, Sarah Wairimu, who is a suspect in his murder.
- Sonko
Nairobi County governor is always up to something. From revealing his friends’ top secrets, recording otherwise confidential phone calls and releasing them to the public to helping the needy.
He was recently arrested and charged with graft. He is loved and hated in equal measure by Kenyans. His graft case, with which he was charged will keep making him one of the most searched personalities this year.
- Johnathan Moi
This was Ex-President Moi’s little known son who passed on this year. The fact that he was not known to Kenyans like his brothers Gideon and Phillip Moi could be the reason Kenyans went to google to seek to know more about him.
It is said that unlike his brothers, he was quite modest in terms of properties he owned, and as at now, his wives and children are tied up in a battle of owning what he left behind.
- Ivy Wangeci
The slain medical student made headlines this year. The story of her murder was both shocking and painful. Her alleged boyfriend slashed her to death using an axe in broad daylight.
Reason? He had invested emotions and money on Wangeci but she failed to reciprocate.
- Esther Arunga
Former TV anchor Esther Arunga first made news when she got herself joining Hellon’s finger of God, got married to Quincy Timberlake, formed a Placenta party and moved to Australia.
News about her broke again when her three-year-old son was murdered by her husband and she was convicted of being an accessory in the murder.
Kenyans must have searched her again when this year she was sentenced to ten months in prison by an Australian judge and immediately released on parole.