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4 Kenyan women with immense talent who are lifting the Kenyan flag high on the global arena

Kenyan women in the arts industry have literally forced the world to pay attention because of their immense talent, looks and brains.

Lupita Nyong'o at the Black Panther premiere
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It no wonder that the international women’s day is always eagerly awaited and held with so much fanfare, In Africa women have pioneered many inventions and scoured big on the local and international stage.

Here are just a few celebrated Kenyan women in the arts industry who have literally forced the world to pay attention because of their immense talent, looks and brains.

#1. Lupita Nyong'o

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Lupita Amondi Nyong'o is considered one of the most famous African and Kenyan woman.

In 2014 she become the first African woman to win an Oscar award for the best Supporting Actress role as brutalized slave Patsey in the acclaimed 12 years a slave film.

She went ahead and cast in big-budget Hollywood blockbusters movies such as Star Wars: The force Awakens (2015) and the Jungle book (2016).

She was born on March 1, 1983 in Mexico City, Mexico, to Kenyan parents, Dorothy and Peter Anyang' Nyong'o.

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She studied film studies at Hampshire College, Massachusetts and, after working as a production assistant on several films, graduated from the Yale School of Drama's acting program.

#2. Wangechi Mutu

Wangechi Mutu is a celebrated Kenyan artist and sculptor who lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

Mutu who was born in Nairobi, Kenya on June 22 1972 is considered by many to be one of the most important contemporary African artists of recent years, her work has achieved much global acclaim.

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Mutu's work has been exhibited at galleries and museums worldwide including the San Francisco, Studio museum in Harlem, New york and the centre Georges Pompidou in Paris to name but just a few.

In 2013 American rapper Jay-Z featured Mutu in his new video ‘Picasso baby’ off the album ‘Magna Carter Holy Grail’.

#3. Stella Mwangi

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Stella Nyambura Mwangi commonly known by her stage name STL, is a Kenyan-Norwegian singer, songwriter and rapper.

She was born on 1st September 1986 in Kenya but in 1991 she moved to Norway with her family. She is considered one of the most popular singers in Norway after winning the Melodi Grand Prix 2011.

Her work has been used in films and TV-series such as American pie presents: the naked mile and save the last dance 2 and Scrubs to name but a few.

She started practicing music when at the tender age of eight years. She has won several awards including; the Kisima Awards, Clops Awards and Jeermaan Awards.

#4. Ajuma Nasenyana

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Ajuma Nasenyana is one of the most famous Kenyan models and has worked with global brands such as Victoria’s Secret and Carlos Mienes.

She was recently featured alongside super models Amy Faye, Tara Falla and Sara Da Cruz Morgado, for 160g Magazine April 2016 issue.

She was born in Lodwar Town, situated in the Turkana district of Kenya. Her first foray into modeling was in the Miss Tourism Kenya competition in 2003, where she was crowned Miss Nairobi. It was through this competition that she came to the attention of Lyndsey McIntyre of Surazuri Modeling Agency.

Soon afterward, Gamma Photo Agency came to Kenya to do a story on McIntyre's scouting work and were so mesmerized by Nasenyana that she became the main feature of the story; which later ran in France's Gala magazine.

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And as they say the rest is story, Nasenyana captivating face is now catwalks on international stages and her face is plastered all over international fashion magazines.

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