Google has
released data revealing that Kenyans spent the year deeply engaged with
politics, culture, global affairs and religion, reflecting a nation seeking understanding
amid a turbulent international landscape.
Under the
category of Trending Questions, Google listen 10 items, ranging from politics,
religion and other global events.
These
included questions about Charlie Kirk, the new pope, Raila Odinga, Sudan war, Rhema
Feast, Congo war, blood moon, ballon d’or 2025 and Jowi.
Google’s
Year in Search is an annual analysis that identifies the most popular search
queries in the country and worldwide, providing insight into what citizens want
to learn, see and do.
In Kenya,
2025’s search trends reflected both curiosity and concern about global
developments, political figures, and cultural identity.
Global politics and religion
Queries like
“What is Rhema Feast?” referenced major Christian gatherings and events
that attract thousands across East Africa.
Rhema Feast
is an annual non-denominational apostolic movement founded by Dr Rev Julian
Kyula, that draws Christians from different walks of life. In 2025, it was held
at Uhuru Park from September 1, to 5.
The questions
about international political figures and global religious events which dominated
Kenyan search patterns were“Who is Charlie Kirk?” and “Who is the new
pope?”
Charlie Kirk
was an American conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, a
political organisation advocating for free markets and conservative values
among youth.
He died on September
10, after a shooting at an outdoor speaking event at Utah Valley University.
Kirk was a
close ally to President Donald Trump, and a religious figure in the US.
The question
about the new pope coincided with the 2025 papal conclave, which followed the death
of Pope Francis, attracting international media coverage.
Pope Leo XIV
took over the seat. This is the name chosen by Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost
following his election by the conclave.
Searches for
related terms such as conclave,
habemus, and papam reflected public interest in
understanding the Catholic Church’s leadership transition.
Local political
interest
Domestic political figures also generated significant searches. Queries
included “Where is Raila Odinga?” and “Who is Raila Odinga?”
This was
during October, when the late former Prime Raila Odinga flew to India for
treatment. He passed away on October 15.
Geopolitical
curiosity
Kenyans displayed a strong interest in global conflicts and humanitarian
crises, with searches such as “What is happening in Sudan?” and “What
is happening in Congo?”
Sudan has
faced ongoing instability, including clashes between rival military factions,
humanitarian challenges, and population displacement.
In the
Democratic Republic of Congo, political unrest, armed conflict in the eastern
regions and humanitarian crises drove widespread media coverage, prompting
citizens to seek explanations online.
Culture and
Astronomy
Searches also reflected interest in Kenyan language and culture, as well as
natural phenomena.
The phrase “jowi” is deeply rooted in Luo language and tradition. It
refers to a buffalo, an animal that symbolizes strength, courage, and
fearlessness.
In Luo culture, the buffalo represents someone whose presence is powerful
and whose influence cannot be ignored.
Because of this, chanting “Jowi, Jowi” is reserved for highly respected
people including leaders, elders and heroes, individuals who led large lives
and left strong legacies.
It signals that the deceased was more than ordinary and that their departure
is a loss felt by entire communities.
The phrase
gained popularity following Raila’s death, where mourners chanted “jowi”.
The search
for “blood moon” indicates popular curiosity about astronomical events,
particularly total lunar eclipses that occur periodically.
The blood
moon is an astronomical event that occurs when the Moon orbits through Earth's
shadow. Earth blocks the light coming from the Sun, casting a shadow on the
moon. The shadow makes the moon appear much dimmer and sometimes turns the
lunar surface a striking red
Sports and rntertainment
Sports also drove high search volumes, with Kenyans looking up major global
awards like the Ballon d’Or 2025, which took place on September 22.
Ousmane
Dembele and Aitana Bonmati were crowned the best men's and women's player in
the world at the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris.
Google’s
Year in Search 2025 paints a picture of a nation eager to connect with both
global and local events.
From
politics and religion to culture and science, Kenyans turned to the search
engine as a tool for understanding the world around them.
