Miss World Kenya finalists unveiled

The search for the next Miss Kenya is finally coming to a close with the unveiling of the final 24 contestants.

This year’s pageant, which is titled Miss Kenya Reloaded, will take place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre courtyard on Saturday, 25 October.

It will look back at the past 50 years of its existence as it seeks to unveil the country’s representative in the annual Miss World finals to be held in London on 14 December.

This year’s search has seen the organisers criss-cross the counties as they sought to identify the girls who stand the best chance of bringing home the crown.

BETTER CHANCES

In a departure from the past, the winner will not be decided by popular vote.

Mr  Wilson Malaba, the national coordinator of the Miss World Kenya secretariat, said the panel of judges will look for the international standards of beauty.

“The judges have international exposure and have participated in international pageants and know the winning formula,” he said.

Voting on the pageant’s website will remain open and the winner there, also announced, a process Mr Malaba hopes will illustrate the difference between popular vote and international standards. This is also to ensure a level playing field for the contestants who may not come from "tech savvy" regions.

To ensure that Kenya stands a good chance to win, the secretariat sent out scouts to cherry-pick potential participants from each county rather than make an open call for auditions.

The selected few battled it out in the county and regional heats for the county title which have since been whittled to the last 24..

These queens were then put through a rigorous boot camp for grooming on the finer skills of being a queen fit to represent Kenya on a global platform.

While unveiling the finalists, Terry Mungai, the director of Ashleys Kenya, reiterated that this is the pageant that crowns the queen.

"This is the pageant that whose title holder is referred to as Miss Kenya. when she travels abroad, she is simply known as Kenya," she said.

BEAUTY WITH A PURPOSE

Mungai who holds the Kenyan Chapter of the global beauty pageant also unveiled the new beauty with a purpose cause that the pageant will be championing.

"We are happy to lend our support to the Smile Train Campaign as we change the world one smile at a time by wiping off every cleft lip and palate and replacing it with a smile.

"We are now concluding the jigger campaign and taking on this new worthwhile cause," she said.

Smile Train Africa is an organisation that facilitates free corrective surgeries for those affected.

The beauty queens also support causes close to their heart as in fulfilling the pageant's motto of beauty with a purpose.
Here, is the list of the finalists in the running for the crown.

1.    Abigail Njoki – Nyer County

2.    Aida Nguma Machakos County

3.    Anab Halake - Isiolo County

4.    Ann Kabu - Nakuru County

5.    Bernice Mugambi - Tharaka Nithi County

6.    Caroline Ndunge  - Machakos County

7.    Celestine Awour – Siaya County

8.    Celestine Nyaboke – Kisii County

9.    Charity Mwangi – Kiambu County

10.   Doreen Kathambi - Meru

11.   Faith Musiva – Mombasa County

12.   Gladys Koki – Embu County

13.   Korir Viola – Nandi CountyI

14.   Lucy Amtallah – Bungoma County

15.   Lucy Wangechi – Kirinyaga County

16.   Magline Jeruto – Elgeyo Marakwet

17.   Margaret Muchemi  - Kajiado County

18.   Mercy Melllita – Marsabit County

19.   Nabaya Ntete – Narok County

20.   Nasrina Farris – Kilifi County

21.   Olive Waithera – Murang’a County

22.   Sharon Kaari – Nairobi County

23.   Sophia Mwagogo – Taita Taveta County

24.   Wambui Ndithi - Nyandarua County