KENYA: Miss Tourism Kenya Is From Homa Bay

Rabella Wendy Omollo from Homa Bay county was crowned new Miss Tourism Kenya on Saturday night.

She beat other 44 beautiful girls at the 2016 edition of the colourful fete as the curtains went down in Vihiga county.

The breast cancer awareness ambassador clinched the coveted title at Kidundu Stadium.

The race saw miss tourism Uasin Gishu county emerge first runners-up; her counterpart from Bomet took the second runners-up position from a pool of six semi finalists which included Miss tourism Meru, Nyeri and Murang’a.

Rabella impressed the panel of judges with her adept catwalk, prowess in communication, tall posture, graceful smile.

He effortless demeanour and ingenuity in marketing Kenya as must-go tour destination saw her earn a standing ovation.

“We have to admit that nobody wants to go to a country that is not peaceful.

Kenya is a very peaceful country. We have 42 different tribes and 42 different cultures.

But we are brought together by ‘Kenyanism’," she said.

“We live peacefully and this is one country that you can always come into and you will not feel you are different.

We have a saying that goes: ‘Hakuna matata Kenya’. Everyone from any part of the world is welcomed to Kenya," she further noted.

“Come live with us, come tour with us because Kenya is an ultimate tour destination. We have wildlife. And it is only in Kenya where you find the eighth wonder of the world – that is the wildebeest migration that is coming up next month," Rabella said.

“I would advise everyone in the gathering to continue marketing Kenya because nobody is going to make the country great if not us. Kama sio sisi, nani atafanya Kenya ikae vizuri? Karibuni Kenya (If we don't do it, who will make the country great? Welcome to Kenya),” she said as the crowed cheered.

The winner was was crowned by former Miss Tourism Kenya Jacqueline Jeruto Komen, from Bomet County.

Rabella also towered above her competitors from the Lake Victoria Nyanza region (Nyamira, Kisii, Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu) in the category of traditional dance.

The publication said Rabella’s mother and close relatives were present to witness their daughter’s big moment.

She exclusively told eDaily that she did not expect to emerge victorious.

“I gave it my best but I did not see it coming. That explains why I was confused on stage the moment I was announced the winner of Miss Tourism Kenya 2016.

Nonetheless, it is a good feeling. Every lady who represented her county was a major competitor – and I treat them with a lot of respect.

“I have been a breast cancer awareness ambassador for long and I will use my position as Miss Tourism Kenya to raise more awareness and see how we can reduce cases of death resulting from breast cancer,” Rabella said.

Miss Toursim Busia, Miss Tourism Kajiado, Miss Tourism Kwale and Miss Tourism Kirinyaga were among the six models that made it to the semi finals.

Miss Tourism Mombasa County bagged herself Miss Congeniality award following her zeal, determination and sense of self-belief that disability is not inability as she triumphed over her inability to speak or hear – and emerged the ultimate beauty to represent Mombasa in the national Miss Tourism contest.

Cord Raila Odinga, Water and Irrigation CS Eugene Wamalwa, Mining CS Dan Kazungu graced the occassion.

Governors Moses Akaranga (Vihiga -host), Isaac Rutto (Bomet), Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), Samuel Tunai (Narok), and Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) were among the dignitaries attended the gala.

Senator George Khaniri and deputy governors of Mombasa, Busia and Siaya counties among other administrators graced the occasion.