Among those on the panel were reigning Miss World Mireia Lalaguna, Miss World Chairlady Julia Morley, Miss World Asia Maria Harfanti and Smile Train International Chief Programs Officer Satish Karla/CFM BUSINESS
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 31 – The Brand Kenya Board and the Ministry of Sports Culture and The Arts have announced that Kenya will bid to host the Miss World competition in the near future.
Speaking at a press conference, Permanent Secretary Joe Okudo expressed confidence in Kenya’s ability to host the competition, and marketed Kenya as the ideal destination to explore talent.
He assured the visitors that Kenya is a safe destination to visit, invest and live in.
“Hosting the Miss World will therefore be a big boost to Kenya as it seeks to attract international participation and inject billions into the economy through the multiplier effect of the monies that will accrue to the national GDP,” PS Okudo said.
Among those on the panel were reigning Miss World Mireia Lalaguna, Miss World Chairlady Julia Morley, Miss World Asia Maria Harfanti and Smile Train International Chief Programs Officer Satish Karla.
On her part, Brand Kenya Acting CEO Mary Luseka highlighted the country’s achievements in hosting global events.
“Kenya is increasingly becoming the hub of international trade fairs, exhibition and events having successfully hosted the World Trade Organization 10th Ministerial conference and notable personalities like the President of the United States of America Barack Obama and the Pope Francis, among many other events. We are confident that this visit will open up avenues for the country to host the 2016 Miss World competitions.” Luseka said.
Miss Lalaguna is on a three-day visit to Kenya to witness the difference that Smile Train, a charity that focuses on cleft lip and palate, has made among local communities.
During the visit, she will have the opportunity to learn more about the organisation’s sustainable model, and meet with Smile Train’s local partners who are on the ground helping cleft patients receive free reconstructive surgeries.
She will also award Miss World 2014 Idah Nguma with her Sh1.2 million prize for winning in the Beauty with a Purpose Category in the 2014 competition.
“Smile Train has touched a child by enabling them to smile again or even eat properly. Cleft lip and palate is a congenital deformity that requires more attention in order to reduce the number of children who die from the condition. Miss Idah has challenged many beauty queens to find their purpose, thereby making a difference in the community,” said Lalaguna.
