Raila Odinga, ‘Kasongo’ and Ginger Shots Dominate Kenyans’ Google Searches in 2025
The late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga topped the search charts, particularly following his death on October 15, 2025. Searches like “Where is Raila Odinga?” and “Who is Raila Odinga?” surged nationwide as Kenyans paid tribute and sought to understand his legacy
By : Mweru Mbugua
Kenyans turned to Google this year to explore politics, sports, culture, and wellness, according to Google’s annual “Kenya’s Year in Search 2025” report released on Thursday
The late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga topped the search charts, particularly following his death on October 15, 2025. Searches like “Where is Raila Odinga?” and “Who is Raila Odinga?” surged nationwide as Kenyans paid tribute and sought to understand his legacy
Healthcare was another major area of interest. The Social Health Authority (SHA) and national health policies ranked among the most-searched topics, reflecting growing public engagement with government services
Sports also captured Kenyan attention. The African Nations Championship (CHAN) led news-related searches, while athletics star Faith Kipyegon was the most searched sports personality. International football stars, including Benjamin Šeško and the late Diogo Jota, also drew widespread attention
Cultural and social queries featured prominently, with local terms such as “jowi,” “kubant,” “saba saba,” and “wantam” trending. Globally relevant questions like “Who is the new pope?” and “What is happening in Sudan?” highlighted Kenyans’ curiosity about international developments
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Wellness trends included ginger shot recipes, while culinary searches favored comfort foods such as chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls, mini pizzas, and the Italian osso buco
Music searches blended nostalgia with contemporary hits. The 1970s classic “Kasongo” trended alongside regional and international songs including Mbosso’s “Pawa,” Iyanii and Dufla’s “Dono Maber,” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” Harry Belafonte’s “Jamaica Farewell,” one of Raila’s favorite tunes, also featured prominently
These search patterns paint a vivid picture of Kenyan interests in 2025, reflecting a population engaged with politics, culture, health, sports, and global affairs
