Obama’s visit to Kenya becomes top Google Search in July

Obama was in the country between July 24 and 26 to attend the 6th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), which was being hosted for the first time in Sub-Saharan Africa. Searches related to President Obama’s historic visit to the country secured five spots out of the top 10 trends as Kenyans sought to gather more information about his sister – Auma, The Beast, POTUS and Air Force one.

Kenyans wanted to gather more information about President Obama’s half-sister – Auma, his official car, the beast, his official plane, Air Force One, and POTUS – abbreviation for President of The United States.

‘The beast’, which is one of the most recognisable symbols of the US presidency, took the second position.

“The third trending topic was ‘POTUS’, an abbreviation that rose to prominence ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit prompting Kenyans to find out its meaning and genesis on Google search,” said the statement by Google.

Dr Auma Obama, the fourth-most-trending topic, gained popularity after she was famously offered a ride in President Obama’s official vehicle after receiving him at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

Other search terms that trended in July are: Barcelona FC forward, Pedro Rodriguez, a 28-year-old spaniard who was transferred to English Club Manchester United.

In anticipation of the newly started English Premier League 2015/16 season Barcelona FC forward, Pedro Rodriguez, a 28-year-old Spaniard who was rumoured to be joining English club Manchester United, was in the list of top trending topics.

He is expected to be transferred to the English club for Sh3.4billion (£22 million). Football lovers were also following the Emirates Cup, a pre-season Football Association (FA) invitational competition hosted by English club Arsenal at their home ground, Emirates Stadium, in London.

Local personalities who made it to the top of the trending list include the late Mzee Ojwang, whose real name is Benson Wanjau who was a veteran actor. Mzee Ojwang search came in sixth following his death while receiving treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital earlier in July.

Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria, who was a trending search topic throughout the month of July owing to his on-going High Court case over the alleged incitement to violence and Eid Mubarak, a traditional Muslim greeting reserved for use during the celebration of the festival of Eid as Kenyans joined more than billion Muslims worldwide in celebrating the Islamic festival which marks the end of Ramadan, were also among the top trends.