Revealed: 14 most popular Kenyans on Instagram

A Pulser orders for coffee and when the cup is put on the table, instead of reaching out for a sip, he dips into his pocket for his phone to take a picture and a video of the cup.

In his struggle to achieve the perfect image, he gets on to the top of the seat for a vantage point. It still doesn’t work. He steps down, steps aside, and asks his date to put her flash light on, asks the waiter to hold the menu as a reflector...long story short, to his date this outing just turned horrific.

Of course you have seen this viral video making rounds on social media and you probably know of such people who will go any length to capture Instagram images anywhere they stop. You are probably one of them because, well, Instagram is the in-thing.

What do we call this... ‘the age of the selfie’, ‘the insurgence of the selfie’, think of it like we were looking for a movie title? Everyone seems to be carrying a selfie-stick, if not tagging along someone to execute the job.

Instagram is all about the perfect shot, the perfect angle, the dreamy image, it’s art. And if it is art, then there are the masters and those would be the most popular Instagrammers. Here are Pulse’s most popular Kenyans on Instagram list of 2016.

1. Lupita Nyong’o: 2.6 million followers

The multiple award-winning actresses, and possibly the only Kenyan who is verified on Instagram, tops the list. The gorgeous actress became more popular to the world after winning an Oscar for Twelve Years a Slave and as her star in Hollywood rises the more people become hungry for more information about her; lifestyle, fashion sense and friends, thus the increasing numbers on social media. Apparently, Lupita works with a professional team that also deals with her social media pages including her Instagram page.

2. Huddah The Boss Chick: 700,000

Known to most as Huddah Monroe, the socialite who lives vicariously and hosts lavish parties has mastered the art of perception. Born Alhuda Njoroge, the socialite rose to fame after representing Kenya at the Big Brother Africa reality TV show in South Africa where, although she didn’t win, she became popular and took advantage of her limelight moments to grow her popularity across Africa. On her Instagram she shares sexually suggestive photos of herself and information on her events. Huddah lives an open life and people can never stop following to see what she is up to in her many local and international escapades.

3. Eric Omondi: 688,000

This hilarious rib-cracker became famous after joining the cast of Churchill Live show and has since won Kenyan’s hearts with his hilarious parodies and live shows. The majority of his content is information on his past, present and future shows, the occasional trending topic and inspirational posts. Eric is also dramatic and ladies love him hence the wild following he commands.

4. Sautisol: 500,000

The Live and Die in Afrika hit makers have become one of the most popular music groups in Africa. Right now, they are on their continental tour whose every minute is profiled on their social pages.

The boy band that rose to the limelight after releasing Lazizi, a song that had Kenyan fans falling in love also works with a professional management team that manages their social media pages.

5. Queen Vee: 324,000

You couldn’t miss her here, right? Vera Sidika is probably the most popular showbiz act who does not gift her fame to music, acting or any of those traditional creative arts everyone else in showbiz thrives on. She is a socialite of international repute and has just returned from Europe and China where she was hosting a number of shows (you are already wondering what she was hosting...booty?)

Well, like or hate her, Queen Vee is a phenomenon and people never seem to get enough of her; whether she is bleaching her body or growing her behind. The bootylicious 2015 Pulse Video Vixen of the Year award winner showcases her luxurious lifestyle that many girls would die to live. She is queen, after all.

6. Bahati: 312,000

The Barua Yangu gospel artiste who had deleted his Instagram and dumped Facebook earlier in the year in a tirade that was said to be because he was quitting gospel music clearly is back and pretty much in charge; like he had never left. It is no secret that thousands of fans like Bahati, the young, humble and playful star who Pulse profiled as the third greatest Skiza tunes earner this year, now swimming in music millions.

7. Dj Mo: 295,000

The System Unit DJ and husband to Mateke hit singer Size 8 is also among the top ten celebs on Instagram. Mr Muraya, also a new father to Ladashabelle, a beautiful baby girl who also ‘joined’ Instagram the day she was born, like the rest, shares about upcoming events, features, his family and inspirational quotes. And going back to the celebrity couple’s daughter Ladashabelle, the gorgeous little bundle of joy has a whopping 40,000 followers already.

8. Avril: 286,000

The multi-talented award-winning singing beauty and actress who burst into the limelight with the song Mama is among Kenya’s ‘hall of famers’ on these Instagram streets. Also a 2016 Kora award nominee, Avril has her Instagram content ranging from behind the scene pictures at her events to her new releases and future shows.

9. Janet Mbugua: 227,000

The TV presenter who broke a lot of guy’s hearts last year when she got married is the most followed TV personality on Instagram. The new mum mostly shares behind the scene photos and photos of her baby.

10. Xtian Ndela: 178,000

Having become popular as a social media personality behind the success of social pages of most celebrities in Kenya, Xtian Ndela stands tall as an Instagram bigwig. The self-proclaimed big wig, who has been facing a lot of controversial accusations as to how he got so many followers on Twitter is the most followed bigwig. The #gainwithxtian train on social media is an initiative that enables him and his followers to gain followers.

11. Kalekye Mumo: 118,000

Forget her recent feat in which she shocked everyone after she lost 40 kilograms in eight months, this radio personality is a big social media icon. The celebrated star, who is also a singer and an actress, likes to share behind the scene pictures and her upcoming shows.

12. Muthoni Njoba: 40,200

Muthoni Njoba is an Oxford Brookes Communications, Media, Culture and Psychology graduate and a popular make-up stylist. She developed a passion for make-up since she was nine years and has gone on to achieve great things including being a brand ambassador for a leading make-up brand. You can imagine why fans keep following her.

13. Mutua Matheka Aka Truth Slinger: 85,000

Mutua Matheka is arguably the best creative photographer in the country. His photos range from wildlife images, lifestyle shots, abstract shots of iconic buildings and the like. He hardly modifies (edits) his photos yet with their natural beauty, they always stand out. It is no wonder that he commands such a sizable following.

14. Dj Crème De La Crème’s Son, Jamari: 16,800

Jamari, now three, the cute son of DJ Crème de la Crème has an astounding 16,800 followers on Instagram. If you’re wondering what kids post on social media; well it’s all about photos of themselves playing with their parents or with other kids or with their parent’s gadget.