Kenyan Siblings Who Rose to International Fame

Twin pilots Alex and Alan who work for Alaska Airlines.jpg
Twin pilots Alex and Alan who work for Alaska Airlines.
Alaska Airlines

Kenyans have established themselves as forces to reckon with in various spheres across the world; from technology inventions, to art and crafts, sports, athletics and even the hospitality industry.

While most of them tend to be from various parts of the country and have barely met, others not only fly the flag of the country high but also the names of their families.

Kenyans.co.ke looks at some of the siblings who have taken the world by storm and came up with the following list:

An image of Vanessa Kingori (Left) and Patricia Kingori (Right).
An image of Vanessa Kingori (Left) and Patricia Kingori (Right).
Photo
Manoah Esipisu

Vanessa and Patricia Kingori

The Kingori sisters, Vanessa and Patricia have made a name for themselves in the United Kingdom (UK), nearly 7,000 kilometres from Nairobi. Despite being raised in the same home, they each curved a niche from themselves in various sectors.

In 2017, Vanessa made history in the media industry when she became the first black woman publisher of the global fashion magazine, Vogue.  A woman of many firsts, she would break yet another record at the company in 2021.

She was appointed as the first Chief Business Officer (CBO) of the Vogue, England division. The Kingori's celebrated a double blessing after Patricia broke a 925-year record at Oxford University.

Patricia became the youngest black professor at the institution. A Senior Research Fellow, she received a distinction in recognition of the quality and global impact of her research in academia and other spheres.

Alaska Airlines First Officers Alan and Alex
Alaska Airlines First Officers Alan and Alex
Alaska Airlines

Twin Pilots Allan and Alex

Two pilots Alex and Alan became the first set of twins to fly a plane as pilots at Alaska Airlines. The two who moved to America from Kenya aged 13 developed an interest in aviation and ended up in the same airline. 

Alex was the first to join the firm as a pilot, while at the time, Alan worked as a fueler at a local airport. Alex then joined the accompany as a first officer after completing his simulator training.

The two brothers are based in San Francisco and Los Angeles routes but  hope to one day fly together - and vowed to invite a special guest on board - their mother.

“The goal is to have one of us upgrade to captain and we would love to have her in on one of our flights,” Alex disclosed.

The Moipei girls
The Moipei girls – Mary, Maggy and Marta, 29 during past event.
Facebook/The Moipei girls

Moipei Triplets

Moipei triplets Mary, Marta and Magdaline rose to fame in the country and continent over their undisputed talent in music. Together with their younger sister Seraphine, they formed an award winning girl-group, the Moipei Quartet.

On November 5, the group based in America was named the recipient of the Julie Wilson award an addition to the accolades received throughout their music career.

"Moipeis are known for their impact on the entertainment industry and the scope and depth of their many awards and honours," songstress KT Sullivan stated while presenting the award.

The triplet's success was not only domiciled in the studio as in 2018, they all bagged first class honours at St Mary’s University in Texas.

 The quartet made history in 2011 when they became the youngest winners of the SABC Crown Gospel Musical Awards. Continental success was followed by global success as they were named by UNICEF Child Ambassordors for Kenya.

David Kimani and his brother Collins Ngure (left) and a plate of Matumbo
David Kimani and his brother Collins Ngure (left) and a plate of Matumbo.
File

David Kimani and Collins Ngure 

David Kimani and his brother Collins Ngure are a household name in Alabama, America. The two created a niche in the food and beverage industry, domiciling on local Kenyan cuisine.

The two operate a food truck dubbed Sahani and sell a variety of dishes inspired by their Kenyan roots including marinated roast beef and pan fried tripe (matumbo).

A plate of either of the costs about Ksh2,400 each while other delicacies such as chapati and a serving of African borewores (mutura) costs Ksh300 each.

A collage of brothers Mahamud Omari and his brother Rashid Omari.jpg
A collage of brothers Mahamud Omari and his brother Rashid Omari.
Momo Pencils

Mahamud and Rashid Omari.

Brothers Rashid and Mahamud Omari were traced by American tech media outlet Tech Insider for their invention that reduced pollution by producing quality pencils from trash.

Omari, who run a factory in Nairobi, make pencils from recycled paper by converting it to wood in a nine-step process. Graphite is then installed into the wood cases which before they are released to the market.

Majority of the pencils are customised with design imprints to the preference of their clients locally and internationally. Each pencil costs between Ksh60 and Ksh80.

The brothers use their business have used their company to create awareness on climate change and create jobs for the youth.

A notable mention in are lawyer Kariuki Muigua and his son James Ngotho, who were named the best lawyers in the continent on June 19 during the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) awards held in Kigali, Rwanda.  

"We decided that we would use the pencil to create awareness on climate change," he told