This archive report was first published on 29 December 2019.
Kenyans' Favorite Kids of 2019 ¶
2019 was a year that saw several Kenyan kids make headlines for their remarkable talents, achievements, and struggles. From science fair winners to young gymnasts and students who fought breast cancer, these kids left an indelible mark on the hearts of Kenyans.
On May 16, 2019, Salome Njeri and Esther Amimo, students of Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in Nakuru County, made history by winning the UN Sustainable Development Goal Award at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Phoenix, Arizona. The girls, who were mentored by renowned teacher Brother Peter Tabichi, created a device to help visually impaired and deaf learners do mathematics.
Their achievement was not without its challenges. The girls reportedly walked up to 7 kilometers to school every day, and their hard work paid off when they beat nearly 2,000 student scientists from more than 80 countries to the prestigious award. They were also rewarded Ksh 200,000 as prize money.
However, not all the kids who made headlines in 2019 had a happy ending. In August 2019, 14-year-old Wendy Waeni accused her manager Joe Mwangi of swindling her fortune. Waeni, a talented gymnast, had performed for global leaders, but her manager's alleged misdeeds left her struggling to make ends meet.
Waeni's allegations sparked a heated debate, with many Kenyans calling for Mwangi's arrest. However, Mwangi denied the allegations, blaming Waeni's single mother for her financial struggles.
Another kid who made headlines in 2019 was Joseph Ngari, an 11-year-old student from Narok who entertained Kenyans with his near-perfect imitation of award-winning journalist Jeff Koinange. Ngari's video went viral, and he even got to meet Koinange and blend with him in airing news on Citizen TV.
However, 2019 was also a year of tragedy for some Kenyan kids. In September 2019, 14-year-old Chepngeno committed suicide after being shamed by her teacher for having her period. The incident sparked outrage, with many parents and legislators calling for action to be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.
On May 28, 2019, celebrated media personality Janet Mbugua petitioned the National Assembly to expand the scope of menstrual health management among Kenya's female population. Her petition came after a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta approved the National Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Policy on November 21, 2019.
