While it is common for an ordinary mwananchi to share a birthday with a media celebrity or a political figure, it is rare to find public personalities share a birthday.
Today, January 7, is one of those rare days where five high-profile Kenyans share a birthday.
ODM leader Raila Odinga, Citizen TV news anchor Jeff Koinange, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga and Thirdway Alliance Secretary General Fred Okang'o all celebrated their birthdays on January 7.
As you turn over a new leaf, may the Almighty continue to bless you with courage and wisdom. Happy Birthday Baba Raila Amollo Odinga. pic.twitter.com/95C04C2pW9
— Hassan Ali Joho, EGH. (@HassanAliJoho) January 7, 2021
They were joined by international celebrities such as motorsport legend Lewis Hamilton, actor Nicholas Cage as well as Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard.
The ODM leader turned 76 years as Kenyans joined his close allies to send the ODM leader birthday wishes.
His deputy party leader Hassan Joho tweeted “As you turn over a new leaf, may the Almighty continue to bless you with courage and wisdom.”
Odinga’s son Raila Junior shared a creative card created by his own son captioned “Happy Birthday Babu”.
Kenyans can only wait to see how the enigma of politics will mark the day, having invited President Uhuru Kenyatta to his home in Mombasa County during a past celebration.
Jeff Koinange had his colleagues surprise him with a cake at the end of his JKLive show on the eve of his birthday on Wednesday evening.
At 55, Jeff is arguably one of the older news anchors in Kenya but still gives other younger colleagues a run for their money.
Jeff keeps a low profile about his private life and is likely to celebrate his birthday with his family and close friends as he has in recent years.
Julie Gichuru doesn’t look a day older than 20 years though she is turning 47 today.
In a short post on Instagram, she shared; “Hello 47. Thankful for another trip around the sun”, with fellow media celebs showering her with praise.
Elsewhere in Nyeri, Governor Mutahi Kahiga’s staff planned to surprise their boss with a cake on his birthday as he approaches what is commonly referred to as the 6th floor.
“He is in the office and we are just about to surprise him with a cake. We have another gift but it is still in Nairobi and we’ll give it to him at a later date,” a source close to the county boss intimated.
Thirdway Alliance Sec-Gen Fred Okang’o chose to carry on with his normal work schedule despite it being a special day for him.
“Today, even though it's my birthday, I was in the office early and in the afternoon had a meeting with IEBC officials in regards to our candidates in the forthcoming by-elections.
"In the evening I will be at home to just relax. I would like to wish all of us and many more Kenyans out there who were born today a happy birthday but most importantly. a prosperous 2021 and beyond,” he told Kenyans.co.ke.
The late Kibra MP Ken Okoth was also born on January 7 and would have turned 43 years old in 2021.
His brother Imran Okoth who succeded him praised him for setting a good example for him and Kenyans at large.
"The candle that you lit still brings us light. The seeds you sawed, still sprout day and night. In shining armour you are, still our knight. Keep smiling down upon us, with your smile so bright. Happy Birthday Ken!" Imran posted on Twitter.
Kevin Mutai a journalist from NTV who is also celebrating his birthday got a surprise when anchor Gladys Gachanja wished him a happy birthday just as he had finished reporting live on a story during the one o’clock news bulletin.
