Group CEO and Shareholder of Chandaria Industries, Darshan Chandaria has been voted the 2018 Most Influential Young Kenyan in the 2nd edition of the annual ranking poll led by international PR & rating firm, Avance Media & Jagari Designs.

Darshan Chandaria who was nominated in the Business category for his exploits in the world of business in Kenya & East Africa got this prestigious endorsement after beating competition from other deserving 99 influential young Kenyans from other sectors to cling the reputable title among young Kenyans.

The multiple award-winning entrepreneur, Darshan Chandaria leads the largest privately owned business group in East & Central Africa which deals in Tissue, Paper, Hygiene Products, Real Estate, and Venture Capitalism. He is an alumnus of the Cardiff University and Harvard Business School.

The ranking which was launched in 2016 was won by Comedian & TV Personality Dan Churchill Ndambuki voted as the 2016 Most Influential Young Kenyan.
Following keenly in the ranking are: Comedian, Njugush, Footballer, Victor Wanyama, CEO of TALA, Rose Wanjiku Muturi and Youth Advocate, Raphael Obonyo who were voted among the top 5 most influential young Kenyans.

East Africa Managing Director of TALA, Rose Wanjiku Muturi who got the 4th position also got the nod as the 2018 Most Influential Young Kenyan woman during the poll.

Sharing insights about this year’s polls, Prince Akpah, MD of Avance Media mentioned; the ranking was instituted to highlight the works of young Kenyans who are contributing in diverse ways towards the advancement of development in Kenya and across Africa.

CEO of Jagari Designs, Janerose Gatobu, mentioned that in honour of the victims of the recent Riverside Attack, the list decided to honour them with the 100th position on the list to reflect the sacrifices they made for the country.

Avance Media also runs same initiative in Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, DR Congo, Ghana & Cameroon in partnership with various organisations and is expected to release a global ranking in 2019.

Below are winners in the various categories:

1. Business – Darshan Chandaria, Chandaria Industries
2. Entertainment – Njugush, Comedian
3. Law & Governance – Scheaffer Okore, Ukweli Party
4. Leadership & Civil Society – Raphael Obonyo, Youth Advocate
5. Lifestyle – Natalie Wanjiru Tewa, Vlogger
6. Media – Larry Madowo, BBC Africa
7. Personal Development & Academia – Ruth Ambogo, Young Kenyan Women Leaders
8. Science & Technology – Thogori Karago, LinkedIn ProFinder
9. Social Enterprise & Philanthropy – Ruth Jepchumba Kilimo, Marakwet Girls Foundation
10. Sports – Victor Wanyama, Footballer
Below is the list of Avance Media’s 2018 100 Most Influential Young Kenyans
1. Darshan Chandaria - Chandaria Industries
2. Njugush - Comedian
3. Victor Wanyama - Footballer
4. Rose Wanjiku Muturi - TALA
5. Raphael Obonyo - Youth Advocate
6. Larry Madowo - BBC Africa
7. Ruth Ambogo - Young Kenyan Women Leaders
8. Natalie Wanjiru Tewa - Vlogger
9. David Rudisha - Athlete
10. Betty Kyallo - K24 TV
11. Scheaffer Okore - Ukweli Party
12. Steve Mbogo - Politician
13. Sharon Mundia - Blogger
14. Ruth Jepchumba Kilimo - Marakwet Girls Foundation
15. Thogori Karago - LinkedIn ProFinder
16. Seth Gor - Comedian
17. Wawira Njiru - Food4Education
18. Elizabeth Ntonjira - IBM
19. Nyashinski - Musician
20. Amina Rabar - Capital FM
21. Enos Olik - Video Director
22. Nice Nailantei Leng'ete - Amref Health Africa
23. Victoria Nkatha Mutai - Motivational Speaker
24. David Kyalo - Koncepts & Events Ltd
25. Trushar Khetia - Tria Group of Companies
26. Naomi Kasi Mue - General Legal Counsel (Adrian Group)
27. George Kimani - Comedian
28. Amy Wanday - African Sports Network
29. Xtian Dela - Blogger
30. Hilda Moraa - Pezesha
31. McDonald Mariga - Footballer
32. Elizabeth Mang'eni - Ministry of Trade
33. Linet Masai - Athlete
34. Peris Bosire - Farmdrive
35. Rita Kimani - Farmdrive
36. King Kaka - Musician
37. Nerima Wako-Ojiwa - Siasia Place
38. Ng'ania Mellissa - Lawyer
39. Natalie Robi - Werema - Msichana Empowerment Kuria
40. Patricia Kihoro - OAP
41. Timothy Otieno - KTN
42. Mike Muthiga - Fat Boy Animations
43. Sam Gikandi - Africa's Talking
44. Beatrice Ndungu - Motivational Speaker
45. Stephen Sang - Governor
46. Audrey Mbugua - Activist
47. Wilkins Fadhili - Brand Lab Afrika and Man Behind Brands
48. Shirlene Nafula - Crystal River Products
49. Sandra Ochola - Tukuka
50. Danson Muchemi - JamboPay
51. Winnie Asiti - Activist
52. Charles Kanyi - MP
53. Yvonne Mburu - Nexakili
54. Mumbi Ndungu - Ibua Africa
55. DJ Mo - OAP
56. Aaron Cheruiyot - Senator
57. Bonnie Kim - Motivational Speaker
58. Makena Onjerika - Writer
59. Brian Mbunde - Brand Influencer
60. Douglas Mwangi - Oasis Mathare
61. Olivia Muiru - B Lab
62. Ruth Mwanzia - Koola Waters
63. Linda Kamau - AkiraChix
64. Joey Muthengi - OAP
65. Khaligraph Jones - Musician
66. Natalie Sonia Mukundane - African Youth Commission
67. John Paul Mwirigi - MP
68. Fena Gitu - Musician
69. Meshack Omega Omido - Public Servant
70. Lucia Musau - Blogger
71. Adam Maina - Social Media Influencer
72. Huston Malande - Skyline Design
73. Abraham Mbuthia - Uza Point
74. Mercy Chebeni - Senator
75. Mwalimu Rachel - OAP
76. Leanne Peris N Kimani - Diner En Blanc Nairobi
77. Leroy Mwasaru - Greenpact
78. Victor Matara - Blogger
79. Antony Nkuubi - Governance Pillar Organization
80. Anne Kiguta - OAP
81. Leonida Mutuku - Intelipro
82. Martin Kiarie - BEAN Interactive
83. Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor - Athlete
84. Brenda Wairimu - Actress
85. Silvia Njoki
86. Jeff Israel Nthiwa - Destiny Life Coaching
87. Ekai Nabenyo - Center for Community Development
88. Elijah Motonei Manangoi - Athlete
89. Margaret Wambui - Athlete
90. Grace Sundukwa - y Assembly Member
91. Paul Kihiko - Wing It Nairobi
92. Dysmus Kisilu - Solar Freeze
93. June Syowia - Beiless Group
94. Octopizzo - Musician
95. Silas Kiplagat - Athlete
96. Davidson Ngibuini - OAP
97. Raymond Karago - Actor
98. Bedan Karoki Muchiri - Athlete
99. Rajiv Mehta - Tangerine Investments
100. Victims of Riverside Attack



The 2018 100 Most Influential Young Kenyans ranking was conducted by Avance Media & Jagari Designs in partnership with Blue Blazer International, VIPI State, COSDEF Group, 1000 African Voices, CliqAfrica, WatsUp TV, & MyNaijaNaira.com