Varsity girl is Kenya’s new beauty queen

A tightly choreographed movement ushered on stage 24 contestants in short African sheath dresses. They disappeared backstage, reappearing in casual tights and shirts — it was quite clear that the results would be too close to call.

Few stumbles and mumbles later and the 24 were quickly whittled down to 12 and then to the final six as the contestants transformed into glamorous regal queens in sequins, lace, frills and ruffles who would tackle the stairs in sky-high heels with grace and poise — smiling all the while.

Special effects and great performances transported one so far from the chilly Nairobi morning at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.

Celebrity musician Nameless and his dancers kept on performing longer than they had planned as the judges took their time to decide.

When finally at 4 am, Terry Mungai, the CEO of Ashley, herself festooned in a glittering black number, took to the stage, all collectively held their breath as she first called out the second and then the first runners-up, before announcing to the collective exhaling of the gathered crowd.

Miss Machakos, she said, was the first among equals. Idah Nguma, 22, was the fairest of them all, a beauty with a purpose who would be Kenya’s representative to the Miss World Finals to be held in London in December.

Miss Kirinyaga, Wangechi Muchiri, was the first runners-up and Miss Bungoma, Lucy Amtallah, was the second runner-up.

ONE REJECTION AFTER ANOTHER

For the winner, this was a bittersweet moment as she tearfully accepted her crown and began her reign, she couldn’t help but look back.
“I am very happy to have won. I had tried to enter many pageants and I faced one rejection after another. But I did not give up, “ she says.

The fourth year marketing student at Kenyatta University admits the competition was stiff as all the girls were unique and special and she had no idea why she impressed the judges.

Ms Mungai, the franchise holder who was also a judge said: “The Miss World pageant has specific qualities it is searching for. With Idah, the judges were unanimous in their decision that she fits the criteria best.”

Mr Stevie Price, a producer at Complete Africa concurred. He singled out her talent as a poet and spoken word performer as the reason she stood out.

During the prejudging session that was not open to the public, Ms Nguma presented a poetry piece that so moved judges.

“She recited a piece on the plight of the girl-child that had all the judges in tears, “Mr Price said.

The early morning pronouncement brought to an end a journey that started in April with scouts traversing every country to identify a beauty with brains that would best represent the Kenya on a global stage.

While Mungai was quick to point out that all the girls were winners and should be treated as the royalty they are in their counties, there were other winners too.

Miss Tharaka-Nithi, Bernice Mugambi, 23, was crowned the beauty with a purpose for her epilepsy activism. She had the most vocal support with part of the crowd that had brought placards in her support to the classy event.