Maraga among 100 most influential Africans

Chief Justice David Maraga, who made history when he led a majority of Supreme Court judges in annuling the election of President Uhuru Kenyatta in the August 8 General Election, is among nine Kenyans who made it to New African Magazine’s list of 100 most influential Kenyans.

Apart from Maraga, other Kenyans are Ijara MP Sophia Noor, Centum CEO James Mworia, lawyer PLO Lumumba. Med in Africa founder Yvonne Mburu, Arimus Media Limited CEO Julie Gichuru, Nutritionist Ruth Oniang’o and athletes Faith Kipyegon and Helen Obiri.

A deafblind Harvard University law graduate activist, an attitude-changing teen dance troop from a Ugandan slum, and a Mauritanian modern day slavery abolitionist hero, are also among the fresh faces joining renown business magnates, political heavyweights and showbiz stars in the annual list released Thursday.

READ: How Julie Gichuru became influential in Kenya 

The list – the magazine’s most diverse to date –  is spread over eight categories: politics and public service; business and finance; civil society and activism; education; science, technology and innovation; media; arts and culture; and sport – profiles both continental and Diasporan Africans nominated by their peers and industry insiders.

What our readers will find pleasing, is the almost bewildering diversity of this list –  in terms of race, ethnic and national diversity. This list, if nothing else, displays the beauty and power of the diversity that makes the Africa we all love,” says Omar Ben Yedder – Group Publisher and Managing Director of IC Publications.

For the first time since the magazine began publishing this acclaimed end-of-year list five years ago, the 2017 list features 42 women out of the 100, the highest number of female entries so far.

With 21 entries, Nigeria tops the nominations, closely followed by South Africa which scored 14 names. In total the list includes entries from 31 countries including 12 Francophone Africa.

Popular new entries include the Triplets Ghetto Kids dance troop from Uganda and Ghanaian born new Editor of British Vogue Edward Kobina Enninful, as well as new heavyweight boxing sensation Nigerian-British Anthony Joshua.

Only three Heads of State made the list this year – Ghana’s Nana Akufo-Addo,  Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and President Alpha Conde of Guinea.  Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also made the list in the Politics and Public Service category  for how he served as a safe pair of hands during President Buhari’s enforced absence for most part of 2017.

Leading business magnates Aliko Dangote (Nigeria), Mohammed Dewji (Tanzania) make a return on the Business and Finance category, which also sees two names that have been media fodder this year,  Angola’s Isabel dos Santos and  Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais.  This year also has more French and Arab speaking entries in this category.

However, perhaps as a sign of shifting interests and changing times in Africa, the Arts and Culture showbiz section has the highest number of entries and most  of the new names. Making a return in this category is Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie, who is joined by fresh faces such as Adwoa Aboah and the refreshing Hijab wearing Somali top model Halima Aden.

Surfacing in the Civic society and Activism category is a new breed of activists  including  those fighting for the routinely ignored yet important rights of people with disabilities in Africa.  Nigeria’s Eros Ikponwosa – herself affected by albinism makes the list for her work with the UN Human Rights Commission in highlight the plight of people with albinism.  With the raw and heartrending recent exposé of Libya’s Africans slave-trade, the entry of Mauritania’s  anti-slavery hero Biram Dah Abeid  in this category,  is poignant.

READ: Businessman Narendra Raval to donate Sh20b to charity

“Our criteria for “influential” this year was a fairly simple one – it is applied to people whose work or activity has had some sort of transformative effect outside their main calling. This effect results in a change of perception or provides inspiration to others. Many in our selection have shattered the proverbial glass-ceilings or disability stigma and do so with great bravery, determination and personal sacrifice. Others yield economic power that impacts world markets,” explains Anver Versi, the magazine’s Editor.

He adds: “African talent in the arts, culture, sports and technology has also has a huge impact on changing the world’s perception towards Africa and its people.”

Latest

SasaPay To “Pay SMEs To Get Paid” Via New Cash-Back Model

SasaPay has introduced a new cash-back model designed to...

Gor Mahia Fan Who Correctly Predicted 15 Out of 17 Games Wins Millions

The 30-year-old, also an avid follower of English Premier League giants Manchester United, came close to the grand prize of Ksh334,783,843 SportPesa Jackpot.

In Race for African Leadership Award, Ruto Faces Tough Opposition

Among the contenders of the prestigious African of the Year award is Kenya’s President William Ruto, who will be battling it out with President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, President of Afrexim Bank.

Transforming Financial Inclusion: The Impact of M-Pesa in Kenya and Beyond 

Discover the profound impact of M-Pesa on financial inclusion in Kenya and beyond. Explore how this innovative mobile service revolutionizes transactions and shapes the future of finance globally.

Follow Us

Newsletter

Don't miss

Safaricom To Power Tusker OktobaFest Beer Festival

Safaricom’s involvement in OktobaFest as a technology and payments partner will focus on fostering seamless in-festival connectivity, empowering the youth and Gen Z community through Safaricom Hook, and powering digital payments through M-PESA.

Music Producers Launch Organization To Streamline Recording Industry

Recording Industry of Kenya (RIKE) was launched on 9th October 2023. Registered in 2022 as a not-for-profit organization, RIKE aims to promote the collective interests of producers of sound recordings in the country.

Nairobi’s Hero Bar Listed Among World’s 50 Best Bars

World Best Bars: Hero Bar in Nairobi continues to climb the list, moving up six places to No.62 and Johannesburg’s Sin + Tax comes in at No.94. Dubai new entry Ergo is at No.69 and Melbourne’s Byrdi has re-entered the list at No.61.

Kenyan DJs Face Off In Smirnoff Battle Of The Beats Season 3

The Smirnoff Battle of the Beats Season 3, a DJ competition, is poised to unleash an unprecedented musical frenzy countrywide.

The Highs And Lows Of Betty Kyallo, Sisters Show As Season 2 Ends

Kyallo Kulture has always been, above all, about sisterhood, and in Season 2 we have witnessed the charm of it - the ups that gave us wholesome moments as the sisters led by Betty Kyallo spent time together.

DStv Beats CNN, BBC To Become Most Admired Media Outlet In Africa

DStv, MultiChoice Group’s leading broadcast service, has been named...

MultiChoice Revises Subscription Fees For DStv, GOtv

MultiChoice has announced price adjustments on some of their...

Octopizzo: How I Make My Money

"I've been doing this for 12, 13 years. It reaches a point where you no longer need to prove that you can make a hit record," he stated.

New Spotify EQUAL Artist Qing Madi Talks Music and Dreams

Heavily influenced by her cultural background and the lyrical arrangements of Kendrick Lamar, the versatile Nigerian prodigy is shaping the future of music with her unique genre-bending fusion of Afrobeats, Pop, Soul and R&B.

Bob Collymore Immortalized in New Festival

The late Collymore was famous for his love for jazz and even initiated the Safaricom Jazz Festival, which saw several of the world's biggest Jazz artists perform in Nairobi.
BT Correspondent
BT Correspondenthttp://www.businesstoday.co.ke
editor [at] businesstoday.co.ke

SasaPay To “Pay SMEs To Get Paid” Via New Cash-Back Model

SasaPay has introduced a new cash-back model designed to empower business owners to reduce costs and bolster profitability by receiving compensation for collecting payments...

Gor Mahia Fan Who Correctly Predicted 15 Out of 17 Games Wins Millions

The 30-year-old, also an avid follower of English Premier League giants Manchester United, came close to the grand prize of Ksh334,783,843 SportPesa Jackpot.

In Race for African Leadership Award, Ruto Faces Tough Opposition

Among the contenders of the prestigious African of the Year award is Kenya’s President William Ruto, who will be battling it out with President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, President of Afrexim Bank.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here