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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