Wendy Omolo from Homa bay county is the newly crowned miss tourism Kenya 2016 who will represent Kenya at a global scene later in the year after fending off stiff competition from other 41 contestants from different counties in the country.
Wendy a 21-year-old mass communication student from Moi university in Eldoret surprised many including herself when she won the title that has been taking place for over a week since they reported to camp.
Omollo beat other 41 contestants to the coveted title and she will be representing the Country at Miss World to be held late this year.
The competition saw contestants competing on fitness tests, traditional wear, traditional foods, special talents like singing and public speaking and other talents that were used by judges in determining the winner.
Babyline Mukila who is deaf and dumb and a darling to a majority of the fans who was representing Mombasa county in the Miss Tourism won the miss congeniality award due to her talents despite being physically challenged.
Earlier Alice Kamunge the CEO of Miss Tourism Kenya while addressing www.westfm.co.ke said that she was shocked when Mombasa selected Babyline and she didn’t know how to handle her but she was surprised to see her more active than the rest of the girls in the competition and who was always expressing herself further describing it as the best thing ever to happen to the pageant.
She said that it was an eye opener and also opening up opportunities to talented people who are physically challenged or feel inferior.
This was echoed by the cabinet secretary of Mining Dan Kazungu who said that the trust that Mombasa bestowed on Babyline was enough proof that anyone with talent despite any challenge can become a winner and Babyline demonstrated the true spirit of Kenyans.
She added that as Miss tourism the main goal was to promote counties by placing them on a platform that they can use to improve themselves.
“I believe by us being in western Kenya it has shown them the challenge of infrastructure and they will improve their infrastructure so as not to have any challenge in future.” She said.
Kazungu added that the 1st mining act was signed into law recently and he wanted to use the Miss tourism board to have an ambassador to promote jewelry that is being mined in the country so as to grow both the mining and tourism sector.
The governors that were there led by Vihiga governor Moses Akaranga, Isaac Ruto of Bomet county, Jackson Ranguma of Kisumu county, Wycliffe Oparanya of Kakamega, Samuel Tunai of Narok county and Moses Kasaini from Samburu agitated for peace and cohesion as a means to heal this nation.
“While others are busy lighting small fires to burn this country this is the biggest event to unite Kenyans. All the tribes are here and are happy for each other. There is healing and this is possible through devolution.” Moses Kasaini of Samburu said.
“Today we are happy being here in Vihiga and we have met as Kenya. Everybody has come from all the 42 counties in Kenya. What else can bring us together other than devolution?” Ruto asked.
He urged Kenyans to fight to ensure devolution is protected so that Kenyans can have clean water, better healthcare, and affordable life.
I ask all those who are vying for seats come next year’s general elections to protect devolution including those in power and give governors more funds for Kenyans to feel the effect of devolution and also provide jobs to our young people.
These remarks were seconded by the former prime minister Raila Odinga who urged the national government to increase funding to the county governments to improve devolution.
He further challenged the governors that they should ensure the money they are getting from the national government is accounted for and the people feel it is being used to improve their lives instead of misappropriating those funds.
He also challenged the members of the county assemblies to stop doing the executive work but to legislate and also keep checks and balances on the county governments’ expenditures to ensure people get services.
He thanked the organizers of miss tourism Kenya for devolving the event as it was offering an opening to the growth of this counties and apart from that it was teaching young people to become ambassadors in the country and advocate for certain issues in the country from a tender age.
Vihiga governor thanked the people of Kenya for sparing their time to visit Vihiga county and further thanked the people of Vihiga for being very hospitable and told them to take the opportunity to learn from different communities further challenging all leaders to borrow a leaf from the girls from different counties that have worked together.
In attendance were also Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugine Wamalwa, Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma, Laikipia Governor Samuel Tunoi and Vihiga Senator George Khaniri.