What’s the first thing you do when you’re curious about something?
If you’re like me, you Google it!
In 2024, our collective search history painted a vivid picture of what captured our hearts, minds, and taste buds as Kenyans.
From football to exploring new recipes, and song lyrics, Google’s Year in Search reveals the trends that defined us as a nation.
So, grab a cup of your favorite Dawa (yes, that made the list too!), and let’s dive into Kenya’s most-searched moments of 2024.
Kenya is a Big Plot 10, We love Our Tea…
For the literal reader, not the Ketepa Tea, I’m talking about Tea, Tea
You get it? If you don’t…
Before you throw stones, please tell me why Baltasar Ebang Engonga (the man from Guinea) was the 5th most searched person in Kenya!
I figured as much.
Other notable personalities Kenyans wanted to keep tabs on include Gachagua, Soipan Tuya, Mutuse (this isn’t a true figure, is he?)
What we Searched for in Sports
AFCON was the most-searched sports term in Kenya for 2024, and it’s no surprise— Kenya has some of the best football fans in the world.
While AFCON was the most popular search, European football dominated the things we searched for on Google.
I’m not trying to insinuate anything but the marketer in me can’t help but point out how far behind branding for our local sports is.
I hope to see our noisy friends from Shabana, Shemejis, Malkia and other sports teams in Kenya appear more on the most searched terms for 2025.
Curious Cats, What Is…
“I’ve learned one thing – people who know the least anyways seem to know it the loudest” – Andy Capp
Well…
Seems like most Kenyans didn’t want to be left behind when it came to understanding what different terms mean.
According to Ahrefs, over 200,000 Kenyans wanted to know what Airbnb is. I really hope entrepreneurs looking for business ideas dominate these searches.
Of course being Kenyans, Okra Water appeared as the 4th most searched term and your guess is as good as mine as to why the term became so popular in 2024.
Btw for those that tried it… Does it really live up to the claims?
Ooops, I digress.
This is for The Foodies
Hungry much?
Turns out, 2024 had us whipping up everything from chicken curry to Kaimati.
Other popular recipes Kenyans couldn’t help but Google include pumpkin soup, Dawa recipe (clearly ‘hoba’ had us on chokehold eh?), margarita (someone tell me what this is) and brownies.
If the searches are anything to go by, we’re clearly serious foodies.
For the Netflix and Chill Gang
I speak for myself when I say 2024 was one for the books!
And the one thing that kept most of us sane is binge watching, and the data proves it.
Supacell was the most searched TV show, followed closely by Damsel, Shogun, The Boys and our local local drama, Becky from Citizen TV.
My one wish for 2025 – Kenyan film producers please serve us with hot shows worth dethroning all the western shows that dominated search in 2024.
Play Kenyan Music!
Hold up… No need to switch into riot mode.
When it came to music, the local scene dominated Google in Kenya with Anguka Nayo being the most searched song – again, we really had a lot to Anguka with.
Other songs that received lots of love from Kenyans include Kudade (what does this even mean), Hit and Run (I see you..), set It, and Mimi ni Mzabibu Baba ni Mkulima (we sure are a fun lot)
Marketers Please Master Your Calendars
When it came to searching for calendar days, popular terms included ‘When is Father’s Day’, ‘When is Easter’…
I am no angel but I can bet that these searches were from last-minute marketers trying to get that campaign set up.
But I might be very wrong and those looking for Father’s day could be our lovely ladies that consider every holiday a Mother’s day – please don’t stone me.
An interesting calendar search is ‘When was HELB established?
We both know why this became popular, if not, read here.
I could go on and on about but here’s a summary of all popular searches in the different categories;
Sports
- AFCON
- Euros 2024
- Olympics 2024
- Copa América
- Paralympics
- EPL Table 2024/25
- Ballon d’Or 2024
- Mikel Merino
- Lamine Yamal
- Leny Yoro
Recipes
- Chicken Curry recipe
- Pumpkin soup recipe
- Recipe for cooking vegetables
- Margarita recipe
- Brownie recipe
- Vegetable rice recipe
- Tomato soup recipe
- Dawa recipe
- Liver recipe
- Kaimati recipe
Movies
- Supacell
- Damsell
- Shogun
- The Boys
- Becky Citizen TV
- Deadpool
- Chasing My Rejected Wife
- Land of Bad
- The Penguin
- Dune 2
Lyrics
- Anguka Nayo
- Kudade
- Hit and Run – Shenseea
- Set It
- Mimi Ni Mzabibu Baba Ni Mkulima
- Not Like Us
- Viviano Song Lyrics
- Nina Siri Naye Yesu
- Ameniweka Huru
- Maombi Yangu Yafike Kwako
‘How To’ Searches
- How to check KCSE 2023 results
- How to update token meter
- How to say ‘hello’ in Italian
- How to apply for KUCCPS
- How to register for SHIF
- How to demonstrate osmosis in living tissues
- How to become a pro skater
- How to reverse Mpesa sent to the wrong number
- How to play Aviator
- How to hype up your sports team
‘What’ Searches
- What is Airbnb
- What is endometriosis
- What is Gen Z
- What is okra water
- What happened to Remotask
- What is a cyclone
- What is a solar eclipse
- What is the meaning of demure
- What is Graves’ disease
- What is femicide
‘When’ Searches
- When are schools opening
- When is Father’s Day in 2024
- When is Easter 2024
- When is Eid 2024
- When is Ramadan 2024
- When is US elections 2024
- When is Euro 2024 starting
- When is Diwali 2024
- When is Good Friday 2024
- When was HELB established
Kenyan Personalities
- Gachagua
- Rebecca Miano
- Soipan Tuya
- Noordin Haji
- Kindiki
- Robert Nagila
- Kawira Mwangaza
- Jimmy Wanjigi
- John Mbadi
- Mutuse
International Personalities
- Vybz Kartel
- Donald Trump
- Benny Hinn
- Kamala Harris
- Baltasar Engonga
- Joe Biden
- Diddy
- Bonny Mwaitege
- King Charles
- Katt Williams
What Do These Trends Say About Us?
This year’s searches highlight our diversity as a people. We are rooted in our traditions yet so curious about things happening around the world.
Here’s to another year of curiosity, learning, and connection! What were your most-Googled topics this year? Let us know in the comments!
