The annual list of the 100 Most Influential Young Kenyans curated by leading PR & Rating firm, Avance Media, has been released.
Currently in its third edition, the annual ranking by Avance Media has highlighted the works of young Kenyans across the world and has seen notable personalities such as 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.
“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,” says Mr Akpah. “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.”
Shortlisted candidates are drawn from 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.
Public voting has been opened via ke.avancemedia.org for 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] - ShirleneNafula [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
MaingaEchate [Executive Committee Member, Kisii County] - Gideon
Keter (Hon) [Youth Rep, National Assembly] - Jessica
MwenjeMayavi [Partner, MMC Africa Law] - NaisulaLesuuda
[Member of Parliament, Samburu West constituency] - NdindiNyoro
[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
WaitheraWairimu [Executive Director, Positive Exposure] - Lucy
WanjikuNjenga [Team Leader, Positive Young Women Voices] - NafulaKisiangani
[CEO, Ubuntu Development Solution] - Nice
NailanteiLeng’ete [Human Rights Activist, AMREF] - Olivia
Muiru [Executive Director, B Lab] - TonnyWatuka
[Consultant, Ernst & Young]
Lifestyle
- Adam
Maina [Social Media Influencer] - Ali
Mandhry [Chef] - Chipukeezy
[Comedian] - Daniel
Maithya [Social Media Influencer] - DJ
Joe Mfalme [DJ] - DJ
Lisney [DJ] - DJ
Mo [DJ] - Eric
Omondi [Comedian] - Njugush
[Comedian] - Victor
Mochere [Blogger]
Media
- AkisaWandera
[OAP, KTN] - Amina
Rabar [OAP, Capital FM] - Betty
Kyalo [OAP, K24] - HarunMomanyi
[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 AdelleOnyango Initiative]
- Beatrice Ndungu [Motivational Speaker]
- Chris Mureithi [Motivational Speaker]
- David Kyalo [CEO, Koncepts& Events Ltd]
- Linda Chepkwony [Founder, Abraham Lincoln Youth Initiative]
- NgukaOjwang [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
- Alphonce
Juma [CEO, Oracom Kenya Web Solutions] - Angela
Muoki (Dr) [Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon ] - Bernard
Chiira [Chair, ASSEK] - Diana
Esther Wangari (Dr) [CEO, Checkups Medical Centre] - DorcasOwinoh
[Director, LakeHub Foundation] - Emmastella
Gakuo [Co-Founder, Savanna Circuit Tech] - Linda
Kamau [Director, Akirachix] - LinetKwamboka
[CEO, DataScience Limited] - StellahWairimuBosire-Otieno
(Dr) [CEO, Kenya Medical Association] - TowettNgetich
[CEO, Uthabiti]
Social Enterprise & Philanthropy
- Anne
WawiraNjiru [Founder, Food4Education] - ChebetLesan
[CEO, BrightGreen Renewable Energy] - Elizabeth
WanjiruWathuti [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
RobiTingo [Founder, Msichana Empowerment Kuria] - RaabiaHawa
[CEO, Walk With Rangers] - Selina
Nkoile [Founder, NashipaiMaasai Project] - Unelker
Maoga [Founder, Konservation]
Sports
- Beatrice
Chepkoech [Athlete] - BrigidKosgei
[Athlete] - Emily
Muteti [Swimmer] - Emmanuel
Korir [Athlete] - Faith
Kipyegon [Athlete] - Margaret
NyaireraWambui [Athlete] - Michael
Olunga [Footballer, Kashiwa Reysol] - Sabrina
Simader [Skii champion] - Victor
Wanyama [Footballer, Tottenham Hotspur] - William
AmbakaNdayara [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.
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