In the world of beauty pageants

Teddy Rossiter and Grace Ramtu ascend to their rightful thrones as Mr and Miss World Kenya. [Instagram]

The most recent Miss World Kenya and Miss Universe Kenya pageants showcased remarkable winners, with Grace Ramtu being crowned Miss World Kenya, Irene Ng’endo Mukii crowned Miss Universe Kenya, and Rossier Teddy taking home the title of Mr. World Kenya. While physical beauty remains central, modern pageantry is about more than just appearances—it’s about fostering leadership skills and nurturing young talent.

Miss World Kenya is the longest-running international pageant and offers participants a platform to showcase their contributions to society.

The 2024 Miss World Kenya, Grace Ramtu, is not only a professional model but also a fashion designer with over five years of experience. She owns Ramtu Fashion Designs and holds a diploma in fashion and design.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Grace is dedicated to mentoring young girls and empowering survivors of sexual abuse, using her social media platforms to raise awareness and support victims.

Miss Universe Kenya has made a triumphant return after a two-year hiatus, with Irene Ng’endo set to represent the nation at the Miss Universe 2024 finals. Although Kenya has yet to win the Miss Universe crown, Irene aims to build on the country’s best-ever performance in 2016 when Mary Esther Were placed in the Top 6.

Irene is a fitness enthusiast, philanthropist, and founder of Mansion Dance Studio, which offers dance and ballet classes to children and young adults. A seasoned pageant participant, she was Miss Grand Kenya and placed in the Top 20 at Miss Grand International 2020 in Thailand.

Reflecting on her journey, Irene shared, “I have been preparing to win this title for seven years. I’ve represented Kenya on various platforms and have always worked on community projects to ensure I’m ready to handle the responsibilities that come with being Miss Universe Kenya.”

The 1st Runner-up in the Miss Universe Kenya competition, Mercy Jerotich, also shared her thoughts on her experience: “I was nervous on the runway, but the cheers from my friends motivated me throughout the competition.”

Despite the glitz and glamour, organizing pageants is no easy feat. Leakey Odera, Chairman of Beauty of Africa International Pageant-Kenya, highlighted the challenges, including financial instability and the high costs associated with hosting such events. He also pointed out the digital divide that leaves some potential contestants excluded due to lack of internet access or smartphones.

For those aspiring to enter the world of pageantry, there are strict criteria. Contestants must be unmarried, have flawless skin, and be free of tattoos or traditional markings. Odera explained that these physical requirements are tied to the expectations of society and certain communities, such as churches, where tattoos are often not accepted.

The selection process for pageants involves a comprehensive evaluation, with judges assessing contestants both off-stage (60%) and on-stage (40%). Off-stage evaluations include interactions with trainers, chaperones, and community engagement, while on-stage performance is closely scrutinized during boot camps and question-and-answer sessions.

Social media has also become a key factor in the popularity of pageants, offering winners and participants a platform to connect globally, showcase their talents, and engage in advocacy work. Miss Universe Kenya, Miss World Kenya, and Mr. World Kenya have all seen a surge in their social media followings, leveraging their platforms to inspire others and promote causes close to their hearts.

Pageantry is about more than just beauty—advocacy, philanthropy, and cultural representation play an important role. Beauty queens are expected to participate in charity events, advocate for humanitarian causes, and serve as ambassadors for their countries. The exposure gained from pageants can also lead to career opportunities in fields like acting, public speaking, and modelling.

For the winners, their new roles present opportunities to create a lasting impact in their communities while representing Kenya on the global stage.