Kenyans Who Excelled in 2021

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President Uhuru Kenyatta congratulates Ferdinand Omanyala who recorded a best personal time of 9.77 at Kip Keino classics at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday, September 18, 2021
PSCU

2021 was a year of success and resurgence for a number of Kenyans. 

Former journalist David Osiany became a national figure after President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed him to Cabinet on Wednesday, February 17. 

Uhuru reshuffled the Cabinet and appointed Osiany to serve as the Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade, and Enterprise Development. 

This marked a new beginning for Osiany who is an accomplished communication expert and former news presenter.  Prior to his appointment, the young CAS had a stint at Royal Media Services-owned station, Hot 96 radio. where he presented the sports news.

David Osiany speaking to the gathering at his boardroom in Nairobi taken on June 25, 2021.
David Osiany speaking to the gathering at his boardroom in Nairobi taken on June 25, 2021.
Twitter

At the station, he was also credited for starting a political show, The Hot Seat, that dissected national issues with Kenya's political class.

Between 2012 to 2013 he served as a Special Advisor in the office of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. 

Osiany holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nairobi and a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Bristol England.

At UoN he was the President of the Student Organization of Nairobi University (SONU) in his second year. Initially, he had been elected faculty of Arts representative in his first year at the university.

 In 2019, he received the UNEP-Bayer Young Environmental Envoy award. 

Ferdinand Omanyala competes in 100m heat during the second leg of Athletics Kenya (AK) Relay
Ferdinand Omanyala competes in 100m heat during the second leg of Athletics Kenya (AK) Relay
File

Ferdinand Omanyala

The athlete rose to stardom on March 30, 2021, in Lagos Nigeria, when he clocked 10,01 seconds at an athletics event dubbed Making of Champions Grand Prix.

The steady rise to glory for the former rugby player turned sprinter, continued during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics games when he reached the semifinals in the 100M race clocking 10,01 seconds.

He finished the 2021 season on a high note with an impressive African record of 9.77 at the Kip Keino Classic competition that was held at Kasarani National Stadium in front of President Uhuru Kenyatta on September 18, 2021.

His stellar performances earned him numerous accolades including being feted by the Head of State during the Mashujaa Day Celebrations.

The University of Nairobi (UoN) student also joined the National Police Service in December 2021.

Omanyala will join the General Service Unit’s (GSU) Recce squad after graduation. The recce squad provides security to the President, his deputy, diplomats and VIPs.

Faith Kipyegon

Faith Kipyegon broke and set records in 2021. 

During the 2020 Olympics Games, Kipyegon made history by becoming the first woman to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 1500M since Russian Tatyana Kazankina in 1976 and 1980.

She won the medal clocking a record time of 3:53.11. 

On October 22, she was selected among the top 10 nominees of the Female World Athlete of the Year 2021 award.  

President Uhuru Kenyatta conferred her with the Order of Great Warrior (OGW) award alongside her fellow athlete Peres Chirchir on December 12, during the Jamhuri Day celebrations. 

Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon wins Kenya's second gold
Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon wins Kenya's second gold
The Standard