Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has topped the list of the most searched local personalities by Kenyans on Google in 2024.
A report released by Google on Tuesday, December 10, dubbed a Year of Search 2024, revealed that Gachagua’s search peaked in October after his impeachment became a national topic of debate.
The former DP was impeached on October 17, after a majority of Senators voted in favour of the special motion that proposed his dismissal on eleven grounds including gross misconduct.
Gachagua was followed by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano and her defence counterpart Soipan Tuya who emerged third among the most searched personalities in Kenya.
Tourism CS Rebecca Miano at a meeting with KWS officers on August 22.
Photo
Miano
Director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Noordin Haji, and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki followed in fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
Additionally, journalist Robert Nangila, Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, and businessman Jimi Wanjigi emerged sixth, seventh, and eighth, respectively, among the most searched local personalities. In the ninth and tenth positions were Treasury CS John Mbadi and Kibwezi West lawmaker Mwengi Mutuse.
Meanwhile, the Social Health Authority (SHA) topped the list of trending news for Kenyans this year. SHA, a new healthcare system launched to replace the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) captured the interest of most people as the government encouraged Kenyans to register.
The Finance Bill 2024 emerged second among the trending news searches followed by the United States elections. Gachagua’s impeachment also caught the attention of many Kenyans, ranking in the fourth position among the most searched topics.
Haiti, Cyclone Hidaya and Starlink Kenya were ranked fifth, sixth and seventh respectively among the searched topics. In the eighth, ninth and tenth positions were Gen Z, Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and Ford Foundation.
Kenyans also went online to search for globally recognised personalities including Vybz Cartel who topped the list as the most searched global personalities by Kenyans followed by US President-elect Donald Trump, Televangelist Benny Hinn and Kamala Harris respectively.
The death of Brian Chira, a content creator who died in a hit-and-run accident in March, was the most searched loss by Kenyans. His death sparked widespread mourning among his fans, friends, and family, with thousands attending his funeral to honour his memory and celebrate his impact as a content creator.
Kenyans also went online to search about the deaths of Charles Ouda, a renowned actor, director, scriptwriter, and singer who made significant contributions to the entertainment industry. Rita Tinina’s passing follows as she succumbed to severe pneumonia.
A collage of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
PCS