Show me your followers on Twitter and I will tell your influence… Twitter today is a way of life. It defines who is who in Kenya and globally. You ain’t a celeb in Kenya if you do not have a mammoth following on social media. It is just the in-thing. Everyone wants followers. With Twitter Ads and branding, there is every reason to scramble for the online audience. For trendsetters, what they do, especially media personalities, gives them an online identity and liking. Others just sit back and watch their followers day and night. Here are Top ten Kenyan celebrities with most followers on twitter.
- Jeff Koinange @KoinangeJeff 723K
Oh My…Jeff Koinange is arguably Kenya’s finest and talented broadcast journalist. The celebrated award-winning journo hosts Jeff Koinange Live on KTN. Although Jeff’s twitter account is unverified, he commands huge following, which many admire. Jeff Koinange, a former CNN Correspondent, has interviewed high-ranking personalities, from within and outside Kenya. His twitter bio reads, “Emmy & Peabody – Award Winning Journalist | Talk Show Host- Jeff Koinange LIVE | Author | Husband | Father & ALL KENYAN, ALL THE TIME!
- Larry Madowo @LarryMadowo 693K
The Trend show host Larry Madowo is also among most followed celebs on twitter. Madowo, a news anchor at NTV and a columnist with Daily Nation has a 50/50 share of fans and haters. Anti-Madowo Kenyans hold that he is too full of himself. The tech editor at Nation Media Group claims to have “sources from the White House to the whorehouse.”
- Julie Gichuru @JulieGichuru -596K
Julie Gichuru was once a household name in Kenya. Until last year, Julie hosted Sunday Live, on Citizen TV, before she left the station. Her impeccable interviewing skills put her ahead of female journalists in the country. She was among the moderators of first-ever Presidential Debate in Kenya. Julie Gichuru describes herself as “Afro-optimist, wife, mother, change agent, child of God.”
- Lupita Nyongo @Lupita_Nyongo 426K
The whole world knows Lupita Nyong’o. The Oscar award winner is not only a star in Kenya but also in Hollywood. Lupita Amondi Nyong’o rose to the limelight after her outstanding role in the 12 Years a Slave drama, released in 2013. Team Lupita runs her twitter account.
- Maina Kageni @ItsMainaKageni 338K
Controversial radio presenter Maina Kageni also has a sizeable following. Maina hosts Maina in the Morning on Classic 105, one of the famous breakfast shows. Maina has been accused of overly focusing on explicit sexual content on air. He is a Manchester United diehard.
- Anne Kiguta @AnneKiguta 319K
She may have not fit in the shoes of Julie Gichuru at Citizen TV, but she was definitely the best fit for the job. Anne Kiguta today hosts Sunday Live, and doubles as an anchor. Before joining Citizen TV, Kiguta who describes herself as ‘The voice for this generation’ was at KTN and Capital FM doing the same thing.
- Carol Radull (@CarolRadull)-296K
Does she love soccer or she is just a tomboy? Well, Carol Radull is one of the few female sports presenters in the country. The Super Sports presenter also hosts a sports show on Classic 105 FM. Her brief twitter bio summarizes her love for sports. “Radio/TV Sport Presenter #CancerSoldier #FootballIsLife #TheScoreKE I support Arsenal FC.”
- Sauti Sol (@SautiSol) 205K
It is the most successful Kenyan band. Many Kenyans including the poor and the rich cherish Sauti Sol. Nerea hit maker are the most followed music band in Kenya.
- Victor Wanyama (@VictorWanyama)-193K
He is one of Kenya’s celebrated sports personalities. Victor Wanyama who plays for English Premier League side, Southampton FC played for Kenya’s AFC Leopards better known as Ingwe, as a midfielder.
- Willis Raburu @WillisRaburu– 236K
‘Rabs’ is loved because of the humor reservoir he has. He co-hosts Power Breakfast on Citizen TV with Kirigo Ng’arua, a go-getter. Raburu is famously known for his satirical segment, Truthmeter that airs on Friday, 9 pm. He is said to be dating a former colleague and soft spoken, Sally Mbilu.
NB: The review excludes bloggers and politicians
