Beauty pageant pushes for climate change

Fashion contestants showcased diverse fashion cultures in Kenya during the Mista and Miss KCA fashion on October 8, 2022. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Victoria Mueni Kitivi, a fourth-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree is the newest beauty queen in town.

The 22-year-old, who is passionate about climate change, presented a near-perfect show to beat her over 10 competitors, who had paraded for the Miss KCA University title.

From recycled plastic water containers, polythene bags, and hand gloves to remodelled old garments, the climate change agenda took centre stage at the beauty pageant.

"I believe that university beauty pageants, just like all beauty competitions, are not just catwalk runway shows. They should be used as platforms to advocate for societal changes. This is what this competition was about and I am grateful that I won it," said Kitivi. The win is one step closer for the model to achieve the Miss University Africa crown, currently held by Adar Yusuf Ibrahim from Somalia.

"I will definitely be trying a hand in the top international pageants especially Miss World and Miss Earth. Further, I want to advocate on issues to do with mental health, especially on the topic of body positivity, as well as climate change issues surrounding our environment," she said.

The title also places her in an advantage position to campaign for the twin universities beauty pageant; Beauty of Africa International pageant, whose current crown holder is Messry Lung'atso, a final year student at The University of Nairobi pursuing Economics.

Also crowned during the big night was Zayd Abdalla, a CPA 3 student, who is passionate about cultural preservation and all things art.

Victoria's crowning comes barely a week since Kenyan model and environmental activist, Fridah Kariuki, was crowned the new Miss Tourism Africa.

The beauty, a journalist and a former Kenya Methodist University student beat over 10 other models from across the continent to win the prestigious crown.

The ceremony was held last weekend in Lagos, Nigeria.

"I am so excited. This is a big one for us. I never saw this coming. The pageant was competitive and I must congratulate all the other models representing different countries who came out and gave their best. I am happy and now ready for the task ahead," Fridah told The Standard.

Fridah, is the immediate former Miss Earth Kenya. Miss Tourism Africa is a platform open to all black young women from African communities around the world.

"We decided to hold this Miss Tourism Africa pageant as a way of promoting our continent's great heritage. This being the maiden event, we started with 15 countries and I am impressed that Kenya has taken it. Fridah is a graceful model, who is passionate about environmental issues and matters to do with promoting the country. She deserves this one," said Alice Kamunge, who is also the founder and managing director of Vera Beauty and Fashion College.