Kenyans Who Made Headlines in 2023

2023 is coming to an end and numerous events characterized the year some good others not.

 In this article, we take a look at individuals who dominated the headlines and kept Kenyans debating on social media.

1. Brian Mwenda

Mwenda was arrested in October 2023 after he was busted by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) for faking his law credentials.

Following the expose’ Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko offered to sponsor Mwenda’s law education.

“We are going to ensure that he goes back to school. We are making plans and have initiated processes to admit him to international universities. Let us not condemn him. He is capable of becoming the Chief Justice. He is innocent until proven otherwise," said Sonko.

Law Society of Kenya President Eric Theuri however warned politicians against supporting Mwenda.

Mwenda was presented in court where he pleaded not guilty to charges of impersonating a city lawyer. Mwenda was released on a Sh 200,000 cash bail.

2. Pastor Ezekiel Odero

The Kenyan televangelist and founder of the New Life Prayer Centre and Church made headlines when he was arrested over links to the Shakahola Cult massacre.

Pastor Ezekiel was later freed by a Shanzu court after the prosecution said investigations against him had been completed and recommended closure of the case file.

The Court also directed that his Sh 1.5m cash bail be returned.

3. Jaswant Rai

The billionaire who controls almost 40 percent of Sugar consumed in Kenya was allegedly abducted in August sparking mixed reactions among Kenyans.

The incident was captured on a CCTV camera on Wood Avenue, Kilimani, where Rai was seen being pulled off a vehicle and forced into an awaiting car.

Rai's abduction was linked to President William Ruto’s famous ‘mambo ni matatu’ phrase where he warned influential businessmen who were fighting over the control of Mumias Sugar Company.

In November, Rai was spotted standing next to King Charles III when he came to Kenya. He was in the company of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and UK High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan among other leaders.

4. Pastor Paul Mackenzie

Mackenzie made headlines in April this year after he was arrested for having directed his followers to fast to death so that they could meet Jesus. This led to the death of over 429 people in the Shakahola forest in Kilifi County.

Mackenzie who has been in custody since then is facing charges of terrorism, murder, counselling and aiding suicide, abduction, radicalization, genocide, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud, and money laundering.

On December 1 Mackenzie was sentenced to 12 months in jail after he was found guilty of operating a filming studio without a valid license.

He was also sentenced to six months in jail for being in possession and exhibiting film through Times TV without an operating license The two sentences will run concurrently.