What Google searches reveals about Kenyans' curiosity in 2025

Amos Robi 13:48 - 08 December 2025

An AI-generated image of young people on their phones

As Google’s data shows, Kenyans were actively seeking clarity and insight in a year marked by political discourse and social change.

In 2025, Google Kenya’s Year in Search list offered more than just a ranking of trending terms—it provided a lens into the collective curiosity, priorities, and cultural pulse of the nation.

From politics to sports, music, and wellness, the searches reveal what mattered to Kenyans, how they engaged with global and local events, and what their online behaviour tells us about generational interests and societal concerns.

Raila Odinga and the politics of curiosity

Politics dominated the search landscape in 2025, with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga topping the list of trending Kenyan personalities.

Searches for Raila were so prominent that many Kenyans also looked up ‘enigma meaning,’ a term long associated with his political persona.

The high volume of searches for the Social Health Authority (SHA) further signals widespread public interest in governmental policies affecting everyday life.

As Google’s data shows, Kenyans were actively seeking clarity and insight in a year marked by political discourse and social change.

The late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga

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Sports: Faith, football, and global icons

Sports continue to unite the nation online. Faith Kipyegon emerged as Kenya’s most searched athlete, a testament to her enduring excellence on the track.

Meanwhile, the African Nations Championship (CHAN) became the year’s top-searched news item, underscoring the country’s deep passion for football.

Kenyans also kept a global perspective, with searches for international players like Benjamin Šeško and Diogo Jota, whose passing in 2025 drew significant attention, highlighting how global sports narratives resonate locally.

These trends reveal a generation that is not only passionate about local heroes but increasingly plugged into the global sporting conversation.

The quest for meaning: Language and culture

Beyond politics and sports, Kenyans turned to Google to decode language, cultural trends, and spiritual events.

Trending searches like ‘jowi,’ ‘kubant,’ ‘saba saba,’ and ‘demure’ indicate a curiosity about evolving local slang and cultural conversations.

On the global front, terms such as ‘conclave,’ ‘habemus papam,’ and questions like ‘Who is the new pope?’ suggest an interest in religious events and their societal impact.

Searches for political figures like Charlie Kirk also demonstrate an awareness of global political shifts.

Together, these trends illustrate a population seeking to understand the world, locally and internationally, through the lens of curiosity and context.

Food, wellness, and home life

Kenyans also Googled what they consumed, both in diet and lifestyle. ‘Ginger shots recipe’ topped culinary searches, reflecting a turn toward wellness and home-based remedies.

Comfort foods and indulgent baking, including chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls, and osso buco, ranked high as well.

This balance between health-conscious habits and indulgence mirrors broader societal patterns: a generation interested in self-care, experimentation, and comfort, especially within their domestic spaces.

Food in a glass container

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Music as a mirror of the times

The country’s musical tastes in 2025 show a fascinating blend of nostalgia and modernity.

‘Jamaica Farewell’ by Harry Belafonte, a song from decades ago, led searches for lyrics, followed by contemporary hits like Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us.’

Local artists such as Mbosso, Iyanii, and Toxic Lyrikali also featured prominently.

These searches highlight how Kenyans embrace both global influences and regional talent, reflecting a society that is culturally curious, digitally connected, and musically diverse.