Kenya: No Personal Finance Topic Made 2024 Trending List Despite MMF’s Growth
Google’s Year in Search 2024 report for Kenya is out, offering a glimpse into the nation’s top interests. From healthcare reform to political intrigue, the list paints a vivid picture of Kenyans’ curiosity. Yet, in a development that’s becoming all too familiar, no financial topics made the trending list, highlighting a persistent gap in the nation’s online financial literacy.
Despite monumental shifts in Kenya’s economic landscape, including the rise of money market funds (MMFs) as a hot investment option, financial education remains an overlooked area.
What Kenyans Are Searching For
The Social Health Authority (SHA), the newly established healthcare provider replacing the NHIF, took the top spot in trending news. Its sweeping reforms made it a household name, touching every Kenyan.
Meanwhile, the Finance Bill 2024, with its proposed tax hikes, saw Kenyans passionately protesting until the bill was shelved, underscoring the population’s concern for immediate fiscal policies but not broader financial planning.
Global politics also captured attention. The US elections ranked third among trending news, with Kenyans closely following Donald Trump’s election as President. Other notable searches revolved around impeachments, crusades, and music personalities.
The Stark Absence of Financial Literacy
Amid all this, the absence of financial topics, particularly personal finance, from the trending list is glaring. For instance, MMFs, which are gaining traction globally as a safe and accessible investment avenue, barely stirred online curiosity in Kenya.
This is despite MMFs offering high returns compared to traditional savings accounts, making them an ideal tool for anyone looking to grow their money.
Etica Money Market Fund topped the list in Money Market Fund queries with less than 2oo searches in the year.
The reluctance to engage in financial learning isn’t for lack of need. With rising living costs and tax uncertainties, more Kenyans than ever need tools to secure their financial futures. Yet, there’s little evidence of this realization translating into action.
Here’s the full trending list for the 2024:
Trending News
1. SHA
2. Finance Bill 2024
3. US Elections 2024
4. Gachagua Impeachment
5. Haiti
6. Cyclone Hidaya
7. Starlink Kenya
8. Gen Z
9. SHIF
10. Ford Foundation
Trending Local Personalities
1. Gachagua
2. Rebecca Miano
3. Soipan Tuya
4. Noordin Haji
5. Kindiki
6. Robert Nagila
7. Kawira Mwangaza
8. Jimmy Wanjigi
9. John Mbadi
10. Mutuse
Trending Global Personalities
1. Vybz Kartel
2. Donald Trump
3. Benny Hinn
4. Kamala Harris
5. Baltasar Engonga
6. Joe Biden
7. Diddy
8. Bonny Mwaitege
9. King Charles
10. Katt Williams
Trending Loss
1. Brian Chira
2. Charles Ouda
3. Rita Tinina
4. Kelvin Kiptum
5. Fred Omondi
6. Allan Kiuna
7. Mr Ibu
8. Njambi Koikai
9. Lizzie Wanyoike
10. Peter Morgan Heritage
Trending Sports
1. AFCON
2. Euro 2024
3. Olympics 2024 Schedule
4. Copa America
5. Paralympics
6. EPL Table 2024/25
7. Ballon d’Or 2024
8. Mikel Merino
9. Lamine Yamal
10. Leny Yoro
Trending Movies & TV
Shows
1. Supacell
2. Damsel
3. Shogun
4. The Boys
5. Becky Citizen TV
6. Deadpool
7. Chasing My Rejected Wife
8. Land of Bad
9. The Penguin
10. Dune 2
Trending Recipe
1. Chicken curry recipe
2. Pumpkin soup recipe
3. Recipe for cooking
vegetables
4. Margarita recipe
5. Brownie recipe
6. Vegetable rice recipe
7. Tomato soup recipe
8. Dawa recipe
9. Liver recipe
10. Kaimati recipe
Trending Lyrics
1. Anguka Nayo Lyrics
2. Kudade Lyrics
3. Hit And Run Shenseea
Lyrics
4. Set It Lyrics
5. Mimi Ni Mzabibu Baba Ni
Mkulima Lyrics
6. Not Like Us Lyrics
7. Viviano Song Lyrics
8. Nina Siri Naye Yesu
Lyrics
9. Ameniweka Huru Kweli
Lyrics
10. Maombi Yangu Yafike
Kwako Lyrics
Trending ‘What’
1. What is Airbnb
2. What is endometriosis
3. What is Gen Z
4. What is okra water
5. What is Remotask
6. What is a cyclone
7. What is solar eclipse
8. What is the meaning of
Trending ‘When’
1. When are schools opening
in Kenya
2. When is Father’s Day in
2024
3. When is Easter 2024
4. When is Eid 2024
5. When is Ramadan 2024
6. When is US elections 2024
7. When is Euro 2024 starting
8. When is Diwali 2024
Trending ‘How to’
1. How to check KCSE results 2023
2. How to update token meter
3. How to say “hello” in Italian
4. How to apply for KUCCPS
5. How to register for SHIF
6. How to demonstrate osmosis in living tissues
7. How to become a pro skater
8. How to reverse mpesa sent to wrong number
Why Aren’t Kenyans Googling Financial Topics?
Experts suggest several reasons for this apathy:
- Mistrust of Financial Systems: Years of exposure to scandals and instability in Kenya’s financial sector have left a sour taste for many.
- Cultural Attitudes: Talking about money remains taboo in many Kenyan households, stifling curiosity from a young age.
- Limited Awareness: Many Kenyans simply don’t know where to start when it comes to personal finance, leaving them unaware of tools like MMFs.
The Cost of Ignoring Financial Education
This indifference comes at a high cost. By not taking an active interest in personal finance, Kenyans miss opportunities to grow wealth, achieve financial security, and better navigate the economy’s ups and downs. MMFs, for instance, could help Kenyans earn interest while maintaining liquidity—a powerful combination for anyone looking to build a financial safety net.
