Kenyans Who Have Taken The World By Storm

 

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October has indeed been such a wonderful month for Kenyans.From the return of the infamous ‘Moi Day’ to having a weekend that the world might never forget. From Eliud Kipchoge’s win in the INEOS challenge to the celebrations that went on thereafter here are other Kenyans that have put us on the map:

1.Eliud Kipchoge:

Eliud Kipchoge made history on October 12th by becoming the first person in recorded history to run a 26.2-mile marathon to break a 2-hour barrier. The 34-year-old clocked in at 1:59:40.2 at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, Austria.
In Early 2019, Kipchoge, the IAAF’s World Male Athlete of the Year, was specially recognized at the Laureus Awards in Monaco for his extraordinary performances. He also had an incredible performance at the IAAF Championships that were held recently in Doha.
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 Eliud Kipchoge

2.Peter Tabichi:
Peter Tabichi, a teacher in a secondary school in Nakuru county emerged the overall winner of Global Teacher Prize bagging $1 million(Ksh. 100 million). The Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize was started in 2013 to reward teachers for being the real champions of change and inspiring millions of learners across the globe.
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 Teacher Peter Tabichi
3.Kennedy Odede:
Kennedy Odede is a celebrity outside Kenya even though he is not well known back home. A former slum dweller, he started Shining Hope for Communities (Shofco), which combats poverty and gender inequality in the slums. He has been awarded the Echoing Green Fellowship, given to the world’s best emerging social entrepreneurs through his work. Kennedy recently won the Oscar of the humanitarian world: The Hilton Humanitarian Award, the world’s largest annual award to non-profits that have made extraordinary contributions towards alleviating human suffering.
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  Kennedy Odede
4.Lupita Nyong’o:

In 2014, Lupita Nyong’o became the first Kenyan ever to win an Oscar for her supporting role in the movie 12 Years a Slave. She is still remembered by most Kenyans for the tearful acceptance speech that she gave.“When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid,” Lupita said.

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Lupita Nyong’o
 
5.Prof.Wangari Maathai:
In 2004, Kenyans were placed on the world map when Prof. Wangari Maathai was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. In her acceptance speech, she said” I accept it on behalf of the people of Kenya and Africa, and indeed the world. She sadly passed on from cervical cancer in 2011.
 
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Prof.Wangari Maathai
6.Dr James Kairo:
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute’s scientist Dr. James Kairo is among eight scientists from around the world, and the only one in Africa named the 2019 recipient of the Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation.  Dr. Kairo received $150,000 to implement a three-year project that addresses ocean conservation problems.
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 Dr.James Kairo
7.Wawira Njiru
In 2018, Wawira Njiru, the founder and director for food and Education became the first Kenyan to ever win a prize that honors an individual aged 18-30 who have contributed meaningfully towards the goal of ending global poverty.  She won the 2018 Global Citizen Prize for Youth Leadership Global Citizen Festival in South Africa.
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 Wawira Njiru

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