The most anticipated annual list of young Kenyans, 100 Most Influential Young Kenyans, which is curated by PR & Rating firm, Avance Media, has been released.
Currently, in its third edition, the annual ranking by Avance Media has helped highlight the works of young Kenyans across the world and has seen notable personalities such Daniel “Churchill” Ndambuki (2016) and Darshan Chandaria (2018) voted as the Most Influential Young Kenyans in the previous years.
The 2019 list features a record of 56 females and 44 males according to Prince Akpah, MD of Avance Media. He further cited that, “the list serves as an encouragement to young Kenyans who are accomplished in their industries and continue to build a distinguished brand for themselves and influence over others. This list also urges those honoured to continue striving harder so their stories can inspire other young people to also contribute their quota to the development of Kenya and the continent of Africa.”
Honourees cut across diverse sectors with these inspiring young change-makers and leaders making great strides as entrepreneurs, musicians, activists, media personalities, social entrepreneurs, public servants and politicians.
Profiles of all finalists have been published on: www.avancemedia.org/2019MIYK
Public voting has been opened via ke.avancemedia.orgfor the public to decide who among the 100 honourees served as the most influential young person in 2019.
The public voting ends on 7th February.
Avance Media is also spearheading related annual rankings for Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and South Africa.
Below is the list of nominees arranged in their respective categories:
Business
- Anerlisa Muigai [CEO, Nero]
- Catherine Mahugu [CEO, Chiswara]
- Darshan M. Chandaria [Group CEO, Chandaria Industries]
- Eric Muli [CEO, Odyssey Capital]
- Gerald Matolo [CEO, Angaza Africa Technologies]
- Kimani Adam [CEO, Nature Expeditions]
- Mary Muthoni [President, Women in Business Community Network]
- Michelle Ntalami [CEO, Marini Naturals]
- Shirlene Nafula [Managing Director, Crystal River Products]
- Zameer Verjee [CEO, Studio A-Z]
Entertainment
- Bahati [Musician]
- Brenda Wairimu [Actress]
- Karun [Musician]
- King Kaka [Musician]
- Mercy Masika [Musician]
- Naomi Ng’ang’a [Actress]
- Pascal Tokodi [Actor]
- Samidoh [Musician]
- Size 8 [Musician]
- Willy Paul [Musician]
Law & Governance
- Boniface Mwangi [Founder, Ukweli Party]
- Catherine Waruguru (Hon) [Women’s Rep, National Assembly]
- Dennis Itumbi [Secretary of Innovation, Digital and Diaspora Communication, Office of the President]
- Duke Mainga Echate [Executive Committee Member, Kisii County]
- Gideon Keter (Hon) [Youth Rep, National Assembly]
- Jessica MwenjeMayavi [Partner, MMC Africa Law]
- Naisula Lesuuda [Member of Parliament, Samburu West constituency]
- Ndindi Nyoro [Member of Parliament, Kiharu Constituency]
- Sakaja Johnson [Senator, Nairobi]
- Stephen Sang (H.E.) [Governor, Nandi]
Leadership & Civil Society
- Angela Koech [Group CFO, GT Bank East Africa]
- Ashura Michael [Speaker, East African Youth Parliament]
- Elizabeth Njambi [Senior Marketing Manager, Uber]
- Elizabeth Ntonjira [Head of Global Corporate Communications, AMREF]
- Jane Waithera Wairimu [Executive Director, Positive Exposure]
- Lucy Wanjiku Njenga [Team Leader, Positive Young Women Voices]
- Nafula Kisiangani [CEO, Ubuntu Development Solution]
- Nice Nailantei Leng’ete [Human Rights Activist, AMREF]
- Olivia Muiru [Executive Director, B Lab]
- TonnyWatuka [Consultant, Ernst & Young]
100 Most Influential Young Kenyans In Lifestyle
- Adam Maina [Social Media Influencer]
- Ali Mandhry [Chef]
- Chipukeezy [Comedian]
- Daniel Maithya [Social Media Influencer]
- DJ Joe Mfalme [DJ]
- DJ Lisney [DJ]
- Eric Omondi [Comedian]
- DJ Mo [DJ]
- Njugush [Comedian]
- Victor Mochere [Blogger]
100 Most Influential Young Kenyans In Media
- Akisa Wandera [OAP, KTN]
- Amina Rabar [OAP, Capital FM]
- Betty Kyalo [OAP, K24]
- Harun Momanyi [Journalist]
- John Allan Namu [Journalist]
- Kamene Goro [OAP, Kiss FM]
- Mashirima Kapombe [OAP, Citizen TV]
- Sophia Wanuna [OAP, KTN]
- Victoria Rubadiri [OAP, Citizen TV]
- Xtian Dela [Journalist]
Personal Development & Academia
- Adelle Onyango [Founder, The Adelle Onyango Initiative]
- Beatrice Ndungu [Motivational Speaker]
- Chris Mureithi [Motivational Speaker]
- David Kyalo [CEO, Koncepts& Events Ltd]
- Linda Chepkwony [Founder, Abraham Lincoln Youth Initiative]
- Nguka Ojwang [Executive Director, Brook of Hope Foundation]
- Peter Tabichi [Teacher]
- Purity Ngina (Dr.) [Lecturer, Strathmore University]
- Sam Vidambu [Founder, Global Mentorship Programme]
- Yukabeth Kidenda [CEO, Teach for Kenya]
Science & Technology
- AlphonceJuma [CEO, Oracom Kenya Web Solutions]
- Angela Muoki (Dr) [Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon ]
- Bernard Chiira [Chair, ASSEK]
- Diana Esther Wangari (Dr) [CEO, Checkups Medical Centre]
- Dorcas Owinoh [Director, LakeHub Foundation]
- Emmastella Gakuo [Co-Founder, Savanna Circuit Tech]
- Linda Kamau [Director, Akirachix]
- Linet Kwamboka [CEO, DataScience Limited]
- Stellah Wairimu Bosire-Otieno (Dr) [CEO, Kenya Medical Association]
- Towett Ngetich [CEO, Uthabiti]
Social Entreprise& Philanthropy
- Anne Wawira Njiru [Founder, Food4Education]
- Chebet Lesan [CEO, BrightGreen Renewable Energy]
- Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti [CEO, Green Generation Initiative]
- Esmael Omar [President, Global Youth Coalition to End FGM]
- Leroy Mwasaru [CEO, Greenpact]
- Lily Tanui [Founder, Tree Growers Association of Kenya]
- Natalie Robi Tingo [Founder, Msichana Empowerment Kuria]
- Raabia Hawa [CEO, Walk With Rangers]
- Selina Nkoile [Founder, NashipaiMaasai Project]
- UnelkerMaoga [Founder, Konservation]
100 Most Influential Young Kenyans In Sports
- Beatrice Chepkoech [Athlete]
- Brigid Kosgei [Athlete]
- Emily Muteti [Swimmer]
- Emmanuel Korir [Athlete]
- Faith Kipyegon [Athlete]
- Margaret Nyairera Wambui [Athlete]
- Michael Olunga [Footballer, Kashiwa Reysol]
- Sabrina Simader [Skii champion]
- Victor Wanyama [Footballer, Tottenham Hotspur]
- William Ambaka Ndayara [Rugby Player]
The ranking is spearheaded by Avance Media in partnership with Reset Global People, VIPI State, Jagari Designs, Surge Studios, WatsUp TV and Cliq Africa.
