Trending google searches in Kenya

Google has today released the annual Year In Search 2015, which uncovers searches and questions that drove Kenyans online throughout the year.

This year’s most trending searches were, for the most part, driven by events and personalities. 2015 saw Kenya host two iconic world leaders - US President, Barack Obama was in the country to attend the sixth Global Entrepreneurship Summit in July, and the 266th and current Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis who visited Kenya during his historic trip to Africa - prompting Kenyans to go online to find out more about them and their itineraries. Barack Obama visit was the number one most trending event while Pope Francis visit was the second in the list of trending events.

The Garissa attack, which left close to 150 people dead and necessitated an indefinite closure of Garissa University was the third most trending event followed by teacher’s strike, which paralysed learning in public schools for about one month. Kenyans love for sports was once more exhibited by their interest in Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao’s “fight of the century” as well as the COPA America football competition, South American international football competition contested between the men's national football teams of South American Football Confederation. Other trending events are: Beatification of Sister Nyaatha, Tanzania Elections, Paris Attacks, and Blood moon.

On the general most trending searches, the late Fidel Odinga, a prominent businessman and son of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was the most trending. Fidel was also the most trending search under ‘People we lost in 2015’ after he passed away, in January, and the number one most trending Kenyan personality.

iTax, a platform that enables Kenyans to pay their taxes online, was the second most trending general search. Taxpayers visited the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) website as they sought to familiarise themselves with the new system of filing VAT, PAYE and Income Tax returns.

Other trending searches are Barack Obama, Pope Francis, Lamar Odom  - a former basketball player and ex-husband to reality TV star Khloe Kardashian, Garissa Attack, Teachers strike, The Beast -  Barack Obama’s official vehicle; Floyd Mayweather, as people turned to search to find out more about the “Fight of the century” with Manny Pacquiao. COPA America was the number ten in this list.

Whenever local personalities and celebrities are in the news, Kenyans turn to Google search to gather more information about them. Fidel Odinga topped the trending Kenyan personalities list while Gloria Muliro was second. Third on the list was businessman, Paul Kobia, who drove Kenyans to search following his arrest by police after he claimed that he knew who and what had killed Raila Odinga's son, Fidel Odinga..The late George Muchai, who served as Kabete Member of Parliament (MP), was fourth on the list after he was gunned down in Nairobi, while the late Nana Gichuru - a well-known actress and blogger who died in a tragic car accident - was number five. Other trending personalities include: Dr. Auma Obama - half sister to U.S President Barack Obama; the late Murimi wa Kahalf - popularly known for his hit song “Ino Ni Momo”; Dr. Mugo wa Wairimu, alias James Mugo Ndichu, who is accused of allegedly sedating and raping women in his clinic; senior reporter Jackie Maribe after rumors of her love affair with top Kenyan comedian Eric Omondi and Neno Evangelism preacher - Pastor James Maina Ng’ang’a after he was allegedly accused of causing  fatal accident along Nairobi-Nakuru highway.

2015 was also the year Kenya and the world bid farewell to some of its most dynamic personalities and the  late Fidel Odinga was the most trending personality among ‘People we lost in 2015’ Second on the list is the late Muna Obiekwe, a renown Nollywood actor, who passed away on January 18, after suffering from kidney disease while the late Bobbi Kristina Brown, daughter of singers Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston daughter of singers Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston who passed away on Sunday July 26 - six months after she was found unresponsive in a bathtub in her Atlanta house was third on the list.

Other people we lost in 2015 include: the former Member of Parliament for Kabete - the late George Muchai, who was shot dead on February 7 as he was heading home after meeting family members at a restaurant in Nairobi; the late Nana Gichuru - a well-know actress and blogger, who  died in a fatal car accident on September 22; the late Murimi wa Kahalf, who died on June 4 after battling an unknown illness; the late Mrs. Grace Akinyi Ogot best known for her novel The Promised Land who passed on at Nairobi Hospital on March 18 after a long illness; Veteran TV comedian Benson Wanjau alias Mzee Ojwang, who passed away  while undergoing treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital; Kimani Maruge who died on August 14, 2009 and was honored with a custom Google Doodle on January 12, 2015, for his achievements and Jonah Lomu - a distinguished New Zealand rugby player who died on November 18 at the age of 40. Although Lomu died in November, he was already trending in searches worldwide.

This year’s most trending music was primarily dominated by international music, however our very own afro-pop band Sauti Sol came in third. Adele’s “Hello” was the most searched song in 2015 - despite being released relatively later in the year.  The second most trending song was “Amarula” by Zambia’s Roberto. Third on the list of most trending music was  Sauti Sol’s “Nerea”.  Other trending songs in 2015 were: Jidenna’s “Classic man”; Drake’s “Hotline Bling”; Fetty Wap’s hit single “Trap Queen”; “Nae Nae” by Silento; Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” and “One last time” by Ariana Grande.

On the most trending "what is" searches, “What is xenophobia” was the most trending after attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa erupted in April. “What is beatification” was the second trending search after Sister Irene Stefani, a Roman Catholic Italian nun and a member of the Consolata Missionary Sisters who was beatified on May 23rd. Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church that a  deceased person led a holy life and is worthy of interceding on behalf of the faithful who make their prayers and petitions to God. Third on the list was “What is poverty” while “What is POTUS” was number five. “What is Ebola”; “What is climate change”; “What is ISIS”;  and “What is Eurobond” - a bond issued in domestic currency of the issuer but sold outside of the issuer's country. Eurobond has been a prominent feature in the news after it was released to Kenya and continues to drive people online. Other trending what is queries are ‘’What is teenage pregnancy’’ and ‘’What is the  beast.’’

The “how to” trending searches had “How to play lotto” as number one most trending search. “How to lose belly fat”; “How to download a youtube video” even though it's illegal because of copyright issues; “How to okoa stima”; “How to write a formal letter”; “How to practice typing on a computer”; “How to pray with the rosary”; “How to bet”; “How to convert pdf to word” and  “How to bake a simple cake”.

Trending events (Kenya)

1. President Obama visit
2. Pope Francis visit
3. Garissa University attack
4. Teachers Strike
5. Mayweather vs Pacquiao
6. Beatification of Sister Nyaatha
7. Tanzania Elections
8. Paris Attacks
9. Blood moon
10. COPA America

BARAKA FM SCOOPS TOP ACCOLADES IN DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

Baraka FM reporters were honoured on Wednesday night at the 9th Kenya
Media Network on Population and Development, KEMEP Awards.

Albert Mwangeka, a senior reporter for the media house based in
Nairobi beat out stiff competition in the Female Genital Mutilation
category and was chosen the best by a panel of judges drawn from
diverse areas.

His story was on a teenage girl living in Kilifi county who was forced
by her mother to undergo the cut forcefully after sitting her KCPE
exams.

David Ngumbao who is a correspondent in Kilifi also beat out
competition and emerged the best in the Family Planning category.

His story touched on school going girls in Kilifi who were using
various family planning methods.

Mombasa based senior reporter Diana Wanyonyi emerged 1st runners up in
the Population and Development Category.

Wanyonyi was 2nd Runners in FGM and Family Planning categories.

Other winners of the night included Josephat Kioko who was 2nd Runners
Up in the Population and Development pool, Oscar Nyoha 2nd Runners Up
Children and Youth Affairs and Joseph Jira 2nd Runners Up Reproductive
Health Category.

Winners of each category were awarded a trophy, Certificate and a high
end tablet.

'Baraka FM had strong entries in the KEMEP Awards. We commend the
management team for allowing their journalists to run development
content consistently,' says Chief Judge Howard Akimala.

'Baraka FM has shown a never -dying-attitude in as far as development
driven stories is concerned. It is encouraging to see stories that
have a human face being unearthed,' says KEMEP co-ordinator Henry
Kibira.

KEMEP Media Awards were introduced eight years ago to recognize the
commitment and vigour with which journalists put towards highlighting
issues related to development.

The objective of the annual Media Awards is to reward journalists for
writing and producing excellent stories that clearly articulate the
real issues surrounding development matters.

Journalists were feted during  a gala dinner at Laico Regency, Nairobi.

British politician, Baroness Patricia Scotland has been elected the sixth Commonwealth Secretary General.

She replaces outgoing Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma whose mandate expires in March 2016 after two terms.

The Post of Secretary General had attracted three candidates, Sir Ronald Sanders of Antigua and Barbuda, Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba of Botswana and Baroness Patricia Scotland.

Kenya had endorsed the candidature of Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba in the initial stages but stood by Baroness Patricia Scotland in the final election.

Scotland, born in the Caribbean nation of Dominica and a member of the British House of Lords, now becomes the first woman Commonwealth Secretary General after the Commonwealth Heads of Government endorsed her election.

Meanwhile, Commonwealth leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to the eradication of Polio from the face of the earth.

The leaders, including President Uhuru Kenyatta who are in Malta for 25th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), met during a high-level sideline event hosted by Malta Prime Minister Joseph Muscat today.

The President, who had a busy day in Valletta, earlier joined other Commonwealth leaders for an interactive forum with new Commonwealth Youth leaders.

The new Youth leaders included Chairperson Kishva Ambigapathy from Malaysia, Vice-Chairpersons, Policy, Advocacy and Projects – Nikoli Jean-Paul Edwards from Trinidad and Tobago, Partnerships and Resources – Faith Manthi from Kenya and Inclusion and Engagement – Angelique Pouponneau from Seychelles, among others.

The Commonwealth Youth Council is a coalition of national youth councils and other youth-led bodies and the recognised voice of the more than 1.2 billion young people aged 29 or under in Commonwealth member countries.

The nine-person executive committee, elected on the eve of the CHOGM Summit for a two-year mandate running until 2017, is responsible for encouraging youth-led action on development challenges throughout the Commonwealth.

This year's summit, which ends tomorrow, also included talks on combating climate change, violent extremism and radicalisation of youth.

Via PSCU

President Kenyatta arrives in Malta

President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived in Malta Saturday morning to attend the 24^th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

The plane carrying the President and his delegation touched down at Malta International Airport shortly before 9.00 a.m. (Kenya time) and was received by senior Maltese officials, Kenya’s Ambassador to Rome also accredited to Malta Josephine Gaita and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed.

CHOGM brings together delegates from 53  countries to reflect on the Commonwealth’s strengths that can influence positive change on global socio-economic developments with special focus on matters affecting member nations.

The Summit, whose theme is “Adding Global Value”, is being hosted by the Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, the capital city.

The meeting, officially opened by the Head of Commonwealth Queen Elizabeth II yesterday, comes days ahead of the Paris Climate Conference (COP21) and has dedicated a special session to climate change.

President Kenyatta is this morning expected to join other leaders for a breakfast Dialogue between Commonwealth Heads of Government and Youth Leaders.

Meanwhile, a Kenyan, Faith Manthi has been elected Vice Chairperson, Partnerships and Resources of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) for a two year period.

Ms. Manthi was elected by national youth delegates from 53 different Commonwealth countries during the ongoing Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

The Commonwealth Youth Council to be chaired by Kishva Ambigapathy from Malaysia, was first established in 2013 and is the official representative voice of more than 1.2 billion young people in the Commonwealth.

Pope Francis leaves for Uganda

His Holiness Pope Francis left the country this afternoon after a landmark visit.

The pontiff – who headed to Uganda on the second leg of his first visit to Africa – was seen off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.

Deputy President William Ruto, Chief of Defence Forces General Samson Mwathethe and Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua were also at the airport to bid farewell to the Holy Father.

The Catholic Church was represented at the Papal departure ceremonies by the Church’s top brass led by the Pope’s Representative in Kenya Archbishop Charles Daniel Balvo and Nairobi Archbishop John Cardinal Njue.

The Pope’s departure ceremonies included a colourful guard of honour by a detachment of the Kenya Army and farewell songs by choirs and cultural troupes.

The plane carrying the pontiff departed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly after 4 pm.

Via PSCU

POPE CALLS FOR NATIONS TO DEVELOP CONSERVATIONIST MEASURES

Pope Francis has called on governments of the globe to strategies that will ensure conservation of the environment.

'In effect, there is a clear link between the protection of nature and the building of a just and equitable social order. There can be no renewal of our relationship with nature, without a renewal of humanity itself.We have a responsibility to pass on the beauty of nature in its integrity to future generations, and an obligation to exercise a just stewardship of the gifts we have received. These values are deeply rooted in the African soul. In a world which continues to exploit rather than protect our common home, they must inspire the efforts of national leaders to promote responsible models of economic development,' continues the Pope when visiting Statehouse.

The pope added that, there is a clear link between the protection of nature and the building of a just and equitable social order.

He said that Kenya is a country blessed with immense beauty and it would be a shame to destroy its nature and let it do down the drain.


'Kenya has been blessed not only with immense beauty, in its mountains, rivers and lakes, its forests, savannahs and semi-deserts, but also by an abundance of natural resources. The Kenyan people have a strong appreciation of these God-given treasures and are known for a culture of conservation which does you honour. The grave environmental crisis facing our world demands an ever greater sensitivity to the relationship between human beings and nature,' he advises.

President Uhuru Kenyatta during his interaction with the Pope  agreed with the religious leader.


'Kenyans are blessed with a beautiful country.  With that beauty comes a great responsibility: we must preserve our heritage, and bequeath not just to our children, but also to the world for which we hold these riches in trust. Yet these riches remain vulnerable.  Climate change and greed, poaching and mismanagement all these threaten to rob our children and their children of their inheritance.  Still, troubles bring heroes and heroines. '


'Wangari Maathai, our Nobel laureate, who reminded us that millions of little actions – millions of humble people working together – could win great battles.  Like you, she believed that loving our natural riches was an extension of loving our brothers and sisters first.  Like you, she was a warrior for nature, without falling into cynicism or despair,' Kenyatta continues.

Pope Francis insisted that it is everyone's responsibility to  pass on the beauty of nature in its integrity to future generations, and an obligation to exercise a just stewardship of the gifts we have received.

'Mungu abariki Kenya!' the Pope concluded.

Uhuru Leads in Survey Despite Decreasing Popularity

A recent Infotrak survey reveals that President Uhuru Kenyatta would be president if elections are held today despite his waning popularity.

The research states that Kenyatta’s popularity went down more than 22 points as compared to 2014.

The president’s popularity currently stands at 33.7% down from 59.8% in 2014.

This put CORD principal Rails Odinga at 2^nd place with a popularity of 28.7% up from 19.3% in 2014.

Third in the survey is Peter Kenneth who was favoured by 5.7% of those interviewed.

CORD principal Kalonzo Musyoka came in 4^th with a likability of 2.5 % up from 1.5% in 2014.

Following closely is National Alliance Rainbow Coalition’s Martha Karua came in 5^th the poll garnered a popularity of 2.2%, William Ruto 1.6%, Moses Wetangula 1.4%, Musalia Mudavadi 1.2%.

‘However of concern, a large chunk of those interviewed were undecided. 21.7% were not sure who they would choose as their president. 1.2% of respondents said that they would not vote in the next poll. 1% refused to give an answer,’ says CEO for Infotrak Angela Ambitho.

Jubile coalition was the favourite coalition with 37.5% followed by CORD Coalition with 32.8% whereas 22.1% were not interested in any party affiliations.

‘The survey was conducted from 6^th -9^th November with 1000 people from all regions being interviewed.’ says Ambitho