Meet Nyokabi Munyaka, Kenya’s first runner’s up at the Miss Nations of The World Pageant 2017
Salome Nyokabi Munyaka took part in this year’s USA’s cultural pageantry, The Miss Nations of the World. The ceremony took place in Salt Lake Utah this August. She ended up coming out as the first runner’s up and she also won the Best Interview Award. She beat over 40 contestants from all over the world. We caught up with her to find out more.
CC: Which course did you pursue in college?
SN: I currently hold an Associate’s degree in Business with an emphasis in accounting. I am now pursuing my Bachelors at the University of Washington in Urban Sustainable development and geospatial technology.
CC: Have you always wanted to participate in a pageantry?
SN: No, not really, to be hones, I never thought I had the look. In my opinion, pageantry was superficial.
CC: How did you come to be part of the Miss Nations of the World Pageant 2017?
SN: I participated in my state’s pageant, the Miss Africa Washington State 2016 after I learned that it was about more than the outward appearance. This pageant taught me how to use the platform to raise awareness on serious global issues. I finally got an opportunity to raise awareness about domestic violence and its effect on our communities. After being crowned the first Princess of Washington State I sought to find an even larger platform and that is how I came to be part of the Miss Nations of the World which is the third largest pageant currently in the USA.
CC: What challenges did you face along the way up to getting selected as the runner’s up?
SN: One of the challenges was ensuring that the judges got to know me as a person, and not just my presentation. The challenge is you are only before the judges for a few seconds at a time and they are looking at another 15 or more ladies. Being unique and standing out was my challenge every time I walked out on stage.
CC: What was the highlight of the whole ceremony?
SN: I was asked what true beauty means to me. For me, this is something I had thought about over and over and having the opportunity to share my true feeling about beauty was the highlight of my evening.
CC: Who is your mentor in your journey of growth? My mentor is my mother. She has been a supporter, a cheerleader throughout this journey.SN: My mentor is my mother. She has been my supporter, and cheerleader throughout this journey.
SN: My mentor is my mother. She has been my supporter, and cheerleader throughout this journey.
CC: What projects are you currently working on?
S.N: Currently, I’m working on building my foundation, Waceke Foundation which is an organization named after my mother, a domestic violence survivor. The mission is to help women and children that are victims of abuse both in the USA and in Kenya. The vision is to see Kenya have shelters and free clinics for both victims and abusers. It is time to end the cycle.
CC: What are your long-term goals for your career?
SN: I hope to be part of the very much needed growth of our country, it would be wonderful to no longer be referred to as a developing country rather as a developed country. My long-term goal is to be part of getting my country to that finish line by having the best education and job opportunities not only in Africa but from a world spectrum.
CC: What is the most enjoyable thing about how far you’ve come?
SN: Meeting people and they appreciate my work with my platform. Also by standing up against domestic violence has connected me with various movements that are making a change on the ground and that for me is the most amazing part of how far I have come.
CC: What is your advice to other young people who are aspiring for great things like you?
SN: Do not let others project their insecurities on to you when they say you cannot do something, the one person who truly knows your potential is yourself so trust your gut and do what you were destined to do. Fear can be a strength and a weakness depending on how you use it.
This interview was conducted by Capital Campus Correspondent Anthony Mbugua.
