OkayAfrica names 9 Kenyans among top 100 influential women in Africa

juma chrispinus

March 11, 2017 10:29 AM

Oscar award winning actress Lupita Nyon’go and athletes Vivian Cheruiyot and Jemima Sumgong who bagged gold in the Rio Olympics have been named too.

Nine Kenyan women causing a stir in their various fields are among the 100 women who have been named this year by OkayAfrica in celebration of International Women’s Day.

The digital media platform included multimedia artist Wangechi Mutu, author and Caine Prize winner Okwiri Oduor and musician Muthoni The Drummer Queen on the list.

Ushahidi Co-Founder and technologist Juliana Rotich, Scientist Claire Muhoro and digital storyteller Evelyn Ngugi have also been honored.

In a statement, OkayAfrica says the list is in celebration of black women who are making waves, shattering ceilings, and uplifting their communities.

“We feel it’s our duty to share at least 100 dope women who hail from the continent and diaspora with you," reads the statement in part.

Also on the list comes the Oscar award winning actress Lupita Nyon’go and athletes Vivian Cheruiyot and Jemima Sumgong who bagged gold in the Rio Olympics.

Mauritius President Ammenah Gurib-Fakim, Nigerian Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and South African media personality Bonang Matheba also grace the A-list.

Maria Borges the Angolan supermodel – who was named Africa’s top model by Forbes in 2013 -, Tanzanian musician Vanessa Mdee, Nigerian musician Yemi Alade and retired supermodel who hails from Somali Iman Abdulmajid are also listed.

“Compiling this list was no easy feat….. We gathered as many African women who worked tirelessly on this list. After months of researching, learning, intense debating and listening, our hope is that you feel as empowered by and proud of the women profiled here as we do”

juma chrispinus