SHA, Gachagua, Brian Chira top Kenyans’ Google searches in 2024

The Social Health Authority (SHA) is the most looked-up news item on Google in Kenya this year, the tech company announced on Tuesday while releasing its annual 'Year in Search' lists of top trends on its search engine.

The new public healthcare system was launched in October to replace the now-defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) but has been the subject of controversy and criticism over its dysfunctional rollout.

Similarly, the Finance Bill 2024 and the U.S. elections sparked interest among Kenyans, coming in as second and third top news searches this year, respectively.

The most-searched personality on Google in Kenya this year is former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, who was kicked out of government through impeachment in October.

He is followed by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano and her Defence counterpart, Soipan Tuya.

The top trending global personalities are a mix of political figures and entertainment personalities, led by Jamaican reggae and dancehall superstar, Vybz Kartel, U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump, and the controversial American televangelist Benny Hinn, who held a crusade at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi in February.

Sports-wise, Kenyans' love for football continued to manifest in 2024, with the top search list being dominated by AFCON, which took place between January and February in Ivory Coast.

This was followed by Euro 2024, which was hosted in Germany between June and July. Kenyans also searched for the Olympics 2024 Schedule.

The death of popular social media content creator Brian Chira, who died in a hit-and-run accident in March, was the most searched loss by Kenyans.

Kenyans also went online to search about the deaths of renowned actor Charles Ouda and journalist Rita Tinina.

Here are the full lists of Google’s Top 10 Trending Searches by Kenyans in 2024: