With 12 beauties battling for the Miss Tourism Machakos 2016 title, Karen Nkatha Muriithi scooped the lucrative crown in a glitzy affair held at the Machakos People’s Park on Saturday night.
The 21-year-old university student was in disbelief and for a moment lost in joyous tears. Favourites Ann Mbula and Tabitha Kimeu were called out as the first and second runners-up, respectively.
There were cheers and animated applause as the Machakos governor’s wife, Lilian Nganga, the guest of honour of the night, took to the stage, hugged and congratulated the winner before crowning her and handing her a Sh100,000 cheque.
Ann received Sh50,000 with the second runners-up taking home Sh25,000.
“I really never saw this coming. I congratulate all the rest as I celebrate this win,” Karen said shortly after she was crowned.
“I know the challenge has been bestowed on me to carry the flag high for Machakos County as we look forward to the national competition. I will not let Machakos down,” she added.
Despite the heavy downpour, hundreds attended the ceremony and stayed on until the early morning hours when the event came to an end. Among those in attendance were Machakos county ministers and other influential individuals from the county.
Earlier in the night, there was confusion as judges seemed not to agree on the winners. For a while, the event was stopped to resolve the issue. Christopher Kirwa, the emcee of the night, kept the crowed engaged.
