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Kenyan search patterns in 2025 reveal a year shaped by politics, sports, culture, and curiosity about global and local events. The annual ranking highlights what captured national attention, from major public figures to everyday questions that sent thousands to Google for quick answers. The data paints a clear picture of what Kenyans cared about, talked about, and tried to understand throughout the year.
Why were political figures at the center of Google searches?
Political leaders dominated several categories, with Raila Odinga appearing in both trending loss and trending news. Diogo Jota, Charlie Kirk, Pope Francis, Chebukati, Albert Ojwang, and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o also featured prominently in searches related to major events and public debates. In trending news, CHAN, SHA, Afya Yangu, Museveni, and IEBC topped the list alongside ongoing interest in Raila Odinga.
Personalities who made headlines throughout the year included Faith Kipyegon, Winnie Odinga, Oburu Odinga, Ruth Odinga, Edwaed Kwach, James Orengo, Rosemary Odinga, Eliud Lagat, Margaret Nduta, and Justin Muturi. Faith Kipyegon also appeared among trending sports personalities, joined by Šeško, João Pedro, Xavi Simons, Bryan Mbeumo, Eberechi Eze, Madueke, Noni Madueke, Donnarumma, and Omar Marmoush.
Curiosity around meanings of unfamiliar words surged as well. Searches included enigma, jowi, conclave, demure, kubant, Habemus Papam, wantam, ayurvedic, saba saba, and blood moon. These searches reflected growing interest in language, religion, culture, and global events that introduced new vocabulary to everyday conversations.
What questions and entertainment choices shaped online searches?
Kenyans turned to Google with direct questions that captured unfolding stories. The top queries included “Who is Charlie Kirk?”, “Who is the new pope?”, “Where is Raila Odinga?”, “What is happening in Sudan?”, “What is Rhema Feast?”, “What is happening in Congo?”, “What is blood moon?”, “Who is Raila Odinga?”, “When is the ballon d’Or 2025?”, and “What is Jowi in luo?” These questions show how Kenyans used Google as a real-time resource to keep up with fast-moving developments across Africa and beyond.
Food and entertainment also shaped the year’s search culture. Trending recipes ranged from ginger shots and chocolate chip cookies to bone broth, mini pizza, osso buco, and uji power. Lyrics searches reflected both global nostalgia and local hits. Popular searches included “Jamaica farewell lyrics”, “Not Like Us lyrics”, “Pawa lyrics”, “Donjo maber lyrics”, “Backbencher Toxic Lyrikali Lyrics”, “Kasongo lyrics”, “Shake it to the max lyrics”, “Nuru yako umenitoa gizani lyrics”, “Uniondolee dhambi unitakase lyrics”, and “Minister of enjoyment lyrics”.
The biggest songs Kenyans searched for were “Jamaica Farewell” by Harry Belafonte, “Adonai” by Nathaniel Bassey, “Pawa” by Mbosso, “Dono Maber” by Dufla & Iyanni, “Backbencher” by Toxic Lyrikal, “Nyaduse” by Kodongklan, “Jowi” by Coster, “Taya” by Okello Max, “All my enemies are suffering” by Bien, and “My darling” by Chella.
The 2025 search rankings show how Kenyans blended curiosity, entertainment, and current affairs in their digital lives. From political transitions to sports triumphs and cultural trends, these searches reveal the stories and interests that shaped the nation’s online conversations throughout the year.
By Modester Nasimiyu
