Kenyan beauty queen in US leads fight against FGM

A Kenyan beauty queen in the US plans to create awareness on Female Genital Mutilation both at home and abroad.

Kelly Wairimu Davis, 21, who is currently pursuing a career in modelling and acting, says she will promote awareness of the practice through her charity “Running”.

Kelly and her family, together with Gilbert and Margaret Omido, set up the charity after she participated in the Queen Universe Pageant in Beverly Hills, California where she was representing Kenya.

She won the “most beautiful smile” award in the competition held on March 16.

SET UP CHARITY

Kelly, who was born in Wichita, Kansas became aware of the practice in 2006 when she visited Kenya seven years ago.

She says it was disturbing to see girls subjected to dehumanising practices and she vowed to highlight their plight.

The model got the opportunity to do this during the pageant when organisers requested each contestant to set up a charity.

Speaking to Nation.co.ke from Los Angeles, Kelly said that it is unfortunate that some girls do not have a say in what happens to their bodies.

“The girls should stand up to their situation,” Kelly said. “They should know that they have an opinion that counts.”

REAL HUSBANDS SHOW

Kelly is to visit Kenya with her family on June 11-26 where she will speak at different venues including Beloved Daughters, a charity organisation in Kajiado.

Prior to the Kenyan visit, she will be speaking at the Temple Fashion Show in Los Angeles on May 10.

Kelly attended the New York Film Academy-Los Angeles Campus after receiving a scholarship through an acting competition in Florida.

She almost got a big break after US actor Tyler Perry’s agents who were scouting the participants took an interest in her after the competition.

She has appeared on Real Husbands of Hollywood, a reality TV series which airs on Black Entertainment Television (BET).

In December last year, she also modelled on the Queen Latifah Show for style expert Lilliana Vasquez.

Kelly will also be featuring in a new reality series by BET dubbed Got Game.