Kenya is a republic government that lies across the equator in East Africa. It is bordered by Somalia to the East, Ethiopia to the North, Tanzania to the South and Uganda to the West. Sudan stands to the North west. Kenya, which is a British colony, has over 40 ethnic groups residing in it.
There are so many things that have put Kenya on the Global map over the past years, but the following are 5 people who in the recent past, put Kenya on the Global Map:
Prof. Wangari Maathai
Prof. Wangari Maathai (1940 – 2011) was an internationally renowned environmental activist who had much love for nature, especially the trees. Ms. Maathai followed a path rarely taken by girls from rural Kenya: she pursued higher education.
In 1977, she started the Green Belt Movement, which was focused mainly on planting trees, conserving the environment and women’s rights. In 2004, the late Prof. Maathai put Kenya on the global map by being the first African woman to win the coveted Nobel Peace Prize for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.
Barack Obama
Barack Obama was the 44th President of the United States of Kenya. He was born of a Kenyan father and an American mother. He was also the first African American to serve as the president of the United States.
It is not his Kenyan roots that put Kenya on the world map as such, but the fact that he visited Kenya as a sitting president of the United States. His July 2015 visit was one of a kind and it placed Kenya in the heart of the world, as everyone watched a sitting president visiting an African nation.
Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita Nyong’o is a Mexican born Kenyan actress who has scaled the heights of film and created a name for herself in the film industry. She was born in Mexico to Kenyan parents, but was raised in Kenya. She is the daughter of Kenyan politician Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o. Lupita began her career in Hollywood as a production assistant and made her acting debut in 2008.
She put Kenya on the global map in 2013 when she featured the historical drama 12 Years a Slave, which earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She became the first Kenyan actress to win an Academy Award.
Victor Wanyama
Victor Wanyama is a Kenyan professional footballer who currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur as a defensive midfielder. He is also the captain of the Kenya National Team and is known for his sportsmanship as well as leadership qualities.
He put Kenya on the global map when he became the first Kenyan player to score in the UEFA Champions League against Barcelona in November 2012. He also became the most expensive player sold by a Scottish club in 2010 surpassing the amount paid for Aiden McGeady by the Russian Club Spartak Moscow.
David Rudisha
It doesn’t come as a surprise that Kenya is known for its athletic prowess and the Kenyan athletes never disappoint. David Rudisha is one such athlete. Born in Kenya in 1988, he rose to become the world champion and world record holder in the 800 meter race. He put Kenya on the world map in 2010 when he won the IAAF World Athlete of the Year. He is also the first and only athlete to ever run under 1:41 for the 800 meter race.
There are a number of other people who have put Kenya on the global map in the past or recent years. The above mentioned are some of the 5 people who have made Kenya to be the talk of the world.