It was the year the music stopped for Kenya’s longest-serving political conductor, even as the cash registers rang louder than ever for the corporate elite. In 2025, the gap between the headlines and the breadline felt wider than ever, yet the nation remained transfixed by the figures standing at the chasm's edge.

Money and fame did not just shape public debate this year; they replaced it. Whether through the heartbreaking finality of a state funeral, the glitz of global athletic dominance, or the sheer weight of banking billions, public figures didn't just make news—they defined the national mood. In a country grappling with the high cost of living, visibility became the ultimate currency.

The Giant Who Slept

No event defined 2025 more than the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on October 15. The news sent shockwaves from Bondo to the diaspora, bringing the nation to a standstill that policy papers never could. For decades, Odinga was the axis upon which Kenyan politics turned; his absence has left a vacuum that the opposition is still struggling to fill.

Reports indicate that Odinga topped Google’s most-searched list in Kenya this year, a digital testament to a physical legacy. As Siaya Governor James Orengo noted in a sombre retrospective, Odinga was the "brain behind Vision 2030," a leader whose influence transcended his lack of the presidency. His passing forced a fragmented opposition—now featuring figures like Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua—to confront a future without their unifying enigma.

State House and the 'Former' DP

While the opposition mourned, President William Ruto continued to dominate the news cycle with a strategy built on relentless motion. His administration’s focus on "Singapore comparisons" and investor-focused foreign travel drew sharp contrasts at home. Critics argued the frequent jet-setting disconnected the presidency from the mwananchi’s reality, while supporters hailed the inflows of foreign direct investment.

Perhaps the most intriguing political subplot of 2025 was the reinvention of Rigathi Gachagua. Now referred to as the "former Deputy President," Gachagua spent the latter half of the year reshaping his identity away from the rigours of office. His pivot from the second-in-command to a vocal, independent political operator has kept pundits guessing about his endgame for 2027.

The Boardroom Billionaires

Away from the political podiums, Kenya’s corporate captains proved that crisis and opportunity are two sides of the same coin. Despite a tough operating environment, top executives delivered eye-watering results:

• James Mwangi (Equity Group): Posted a staggering 32% rise in profit after tax to KES 54.1 billion (approx. $416 million), cementing Equity's dominance in the region.
• Paul Russo (KCB Group): Guided the lender to a KES 47.3 billion (approx. $364 million) profit, driven by digital banking growth.
• Peter Ndegwa (Safaricom): Announced a record half-year net profit of KES 42.8 billion (approx. $330 million), proving that even in a squeeze, data and M-Pesa remain non-negotiable for Kenyans.

These figures highlight a dual reality: while the average household budget tightened, the corporate engines of the economy roared on, fueled by consolidation and regional expansion.

Gold Medals and Golden Brands

If politics was the theatre of conflict, sports was the arena of pure joy. Faith Kipyegon once again proved she is in a league of her own. Her performance at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo was nothing short of historic, where she clinched a fourth consecutive 1500m world title. Earlier in the year, she shattered her own world record with a blistering 3:48.68, reaffirming her status as Kenya’s greatest track ambassador.

Meanwhile, marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge continued to transition from the road to the boardroom. While less dominant on the tarmac in 2025, his investments in training camps and global brand partnerships positioned him among the wealthiest sports figures in the land. For these athletes, fame has been successfully transmuted into generational wealth, setting a template for the next generation of stars.

As we look toward 2026, the board is reset. The opposition is leaderless, the President is pivoting to legacy, and the captains of industry are richer than ever. The only certainty is that in Kenya, the headlines belong to those bold enough to seize them.