'Setbacks made me strong', says Miss World Kenya Idah Nguma

In disbelief, Idah broke into tears, one hand covering her puzzled face, the other on her trembling belly.

She almost fell to the ground in this overwhelming moment of joy. Even though she had been optimistic, this one she had not seen coming.

Winning the Miss World Kenya title, the most coveted beauty crown in the land, had been her childhood dream and here, with her radiant beauty basking before thousands, she strutted her way to the golden seat where she sat to assume her new status. What a joy!

“Honestly, I did not see this coming. I was 50-50. I am still lost in this jovial feeling. For years, I have dreamed of winning this title,” the beauty from Machakos told Pulse.

“I can’t think of what to do with the Sh1 million prize money now. As for the brand new car, you will see me driving around town soon,” she said about her enviable winnings.

For years, the newly crowned Idah, who is also a final year marketing student at Kenyatta University, had competed in beauty pageants but without success. She recalls how she would sometimes suffer rejection by judges during auditions; a humbling treatment that she now says only made her strong.

“Sometimes I would really get embarrassed when I got turned away during auditions. But I believed in myself. The humiliation only worked to make strong, a zeal that led me to try for the Miss World Kenya title,” informs the gorgeous queen who says she is laid back.

“I have always borrowed from the success of Cecilia Mwangi (Miss World Kenya, 2005) and it is her inspiration I will follow throughout my reign.

I am setting up a charity organization to deal with breast and cervical cancer,” Idah told Pulse adding that she recently lost a friend to cancer, which is why she wants to help cancer victims.

The fifth-born to a single mum, Idah says her win is an inspiration to many aspiring models from remote areas, adding that she will engage in mentorship to encourage other aspiring models.

“I know winning the Miss World title is not easy but I trust I will be equal to the task come the December 14, in London.

I have more than a month to prepare and with everyone; from mum (Miss World Kenya Pageant Holder Terry Mungai, the CEO of Ashleys Beauty) and my governor Alfred Mutua who has been very supportive, as well as family and friends, I am sure I will come back with good news,” she says charmingly.

Idah, who now has to defer one academic year to embark on her Miss World Kenya duties will be meeting 128 other beauties from all over the world come the December Miss World finals in London.

She will also hand over her Miss World Machakos title to the first runners up as she leads a team that includes Wangeci Wachira from Kirinyaga County (first runners up) and Lucy Muindi from Bungoma County (second runners up) in a reign that promises to be eventful.

The Miss Machakos County winner beat 24 other finalists to win the coveted crown that comes with a Sh1 million prize cash and a brand new car.

“I am still in shock and I am trying to get the truth to sink in, that I have actually won this contest. I have competed in different beauty pageants so many times but this is the first time I have won a title,” Idah told Pulse on Sunday morning, minutes after she was crowned at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

“I thank the Machakos County Governor Alfred Mutua for getting everyone to rally their support behind me. I give all the glory to God,” the jovial winner added.

Coming second was Wangeci Wachira from Kirinyaga County with Lucy Muindi from Bungoma taking third place. “I know the challenges of being in the spotlight as a role model. I will do the best to keep the Miss World Kenya success real. I am in a committed relationship but for now, I want to focus on my duties as Miss World Kenya. And work starts now,” she concludes.