Top 100+ Famous Kenyans of All Time

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.

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