List of Kenyans
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The following list gives a categorised overview of notable people from Kenya.
Freedom heroes
- Koitalel Arap Samoei
- Me Katilili Wa Menza, mother of colonial resistance
- Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi
- Field Marshal Musa Mwariama
- General Waruhiu Itote (General China)
- Jomo Kenyatta
- Esau Khamati Oriedo
- J.M. Kariuki
- Jaramogi Oginga Odinga
- Ramogi Achieng Oneko
- Paul Ngei
- Tom Mboya
- Masinde Muliro
- Kubu Kubu
Politicians
- Barack Obama, U.S. President, 2009–present (Obama held both U.S. and Kenyan citizenship as a child, but lost his Kenyan citizenship automatically on his 23rd birthday.)[1]
- Moody Awori, Vice President, August, 2003–December 2007
- Nicholas Biwott, Member of Parliament, former Cabinet Ministère
- Cyrus Jirongo
- Esther Passaris
- 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–present
- Mwai Kibaki, 3rd President of Kenya Dec 2002–March 2013
- Esau Khamati Oriedo 1928 – 1st 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–Aug 2003
- Kenneth Matiba
- Tom Mboya, Cabinet Minister, assassinated 1969
- Musalia Mudavadi, Vice President 4 November 2002–30 December 2002
- Joseph Murumbi, Vice President 1965–1967
- Simeon Nyachae
- Charity Ngilu, first female to run for presidency
- Raila Odinga, former Cabinet Minister, Member of Parliament. Son of Oginga Odinga and former Prime Minister
- 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, Apr 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
- 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)
Businesspeople
Activists
Administrators
Academics
- Prof. Richard Dawkins, ethologist, evolutionary biologist, science writer and noted atheist
- Dr. Geoffrey William Griffin (born 15 June 1933, died 28 June 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 2004
- Prof. Ali Mazrui
- Prof. Henry Odera Oruka philosopher
- Prof. 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 Sports Science, Kenyatta University
- Prof. Bethwell Allan Ogot
- Prof. Calestous Juma, Professor of the Practice of International Development; Director, Science, Technology, Globalization, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University
Writers
Religious leaders
- Cardinal John Njue
- Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga
- Archbishop John Njenga
- Judy Mbugua (born 1947), chair of the Pan African Christian Women Alliance
Sportspersons
- Matthew Birir
- Amos Biwott
- Mike Boit
- Richard Chelimo
- Lonah Chemtai, Kenyan-Israeli Olympic marathon runner
- Joyce Chepchumba
- Jason Dunford
- Paul Ereng
- Ben Jipcho
- Julius Kariuki
- Kipchoge Keino
- Ezekiel Kemboi
- Joseph Keter
- 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
- Noah Ngeny
- John Ngugi
- Margaret Okayo
- Dennis Oliech, soccer player now based in France
- Yobes Ondieki
- 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 England, plays for Southampton and captains the Kenya national team
Musicians
- Jua Cali
- Musa Juma, rhumba maestro
- Christine Kamau, trumpeter, saxophonist
- Fundi Konde
- David Kabaka
- Joseph Kamaru, Kikuyu songwriter
- Ken Ring
- David Mathenge, a.k.a. Nameless
- Daniel Owino Misiani
- Henrie Mutuku
- Stella Mwangi
- Nonini
- Tony Nyadundo
- Dave Okumu
- Suzzana Owíyo
- Eric Wainaina, musician
- Fadhili William of Malaika fame
- Roger Whittaker