24-Year Old Miss World Kenya To Compete For Coveted Global Prize In India

Reigning Miss World Kenya, Chantou Kwamboka, will leave the country on Saturday, February 17 for India where she will embark on her journey to the 71st Miss World Festival.

Ashleys Kenya, in a detailed media invite announcing the trip and sent to newsrooms, revealed that the departure will be preceded by a brief appearance at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi.

"She will be available for media interactions and well-wishes from 1:30 PM before her check-in at 2:30 PM," read the statement in part dated Thursday, February 15.

The 71st Miss World Festival, taking place in India, is a prestigious event that celebrates female achievement and empowerment.

This year's festival holds special significance as it marks the return of the event to India after a hiatus of 28 years.

According to the invite, Kwamboka expressed her excitement to represent Kenya on the global stage and is looking forward to showcasing the beauty, talent, and grace of the Kenyan people.

"She has been diligently preparing for the competition and is grateful for the support she has received from her fans, sponsors, and the Miss World Kenya organization," added the statement.

The 24-year-old is a Maseno University alumni. She studied Medical Bio-Technology and pursued a career in acting and new media as a podcast host, having attended high school in Migori County at Kadika Girls.

Kwamboka was crowned on stage at the Two Rivers Mall on December 10, 2022, at a glossy event that also saw Faith Wanjiku Kariuki crowned 1st Runners Up and Wabaiya Kariuki, the 2nd runner-up.

Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports, and the Arts Ababu Namwamba was the chief guest. It was here that Kwamboka also walked away with a Ksh250,000 grand prize and a year’s worth of grooming services worth Ksh500,000 at Ashleys Kenya.

Miss World is the oldest-running international pageant. Launched in 1951, the core tenant of the pageant is a call to action that goes beyond outer beauty and how your beauty can be a platform for change, thus dubbed “Beauty With A Purpose."

Chantou took over from 2021 Miss World Kenya Sharon Obara whom she came second to at that year’s contest.

The assignment that awaits her is considered a tough ask but she will be hoping to go further than Sharon’s stellar top 20 performance at the Miss World pageant.

No Kenyan has ever been crowned Miss World with the closest ever being a few finalists; including Maria Wavinya in 2019, Evelyn Njambi in 2016 who finished fifth overall, and Yolanda Masinde who was a semi-finalist in 2000.

The festival, slated between February 18 and March 9, 2024, will unfold across various breathtaking venues, including the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

120 contestants from countries across the globe will participate in various competitions and charitable initiatives, making them ambassadors of change.

Among them include the Current Miss World Karolina Bielawska along with Former Miss World winners Toni Ann Singh from Jamaica (the 69th Miss World), Vanessa Ponce De Leon from Mexico (the 68th Miss World), Manushi Chillar from India (the 67th Miss World), and Stephanie Del Valle from Puerto Rico (the 66th Miss World), coming together for the first time to set the stage for the Grand Finale.

"The 71st Miss World festival will commence with "The Opening Ceremony" and "India Welcomes the World Gala" by the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) at the magnificent Hotel The Ashok in New Delhi on February 20.

"The grand finale will be a spectacular affair at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on March 9 and will be streamed and telecast across the world. In this star-studded celebration like never before, the majestic finale will have renowned celebrities who will elevate the allure of the event with their exceptional performances," Miss World explains on its website.

One of the reasons Chantou Kwambokaa won the Miss Kenya title was because of her sophistication. Not only is she a beauty queen, but she is also very elegant and very adventurous, judging from her photos on her official Instagram account.

Chantou Kwamboka when she was crowned Miss World Kenya in the presence of Sports CS Ababu Namwamba at the Two Rivers Mall on December 10, 2022. /CAPITAL LIFESTYLE