The process for Kakamega County to clinch this year’s Miss Tourism Kenya (MTK) title has started on a high note. The dream for the county to take home the envied crown received a thumbs up on when the MTK National Director and County Coordinator Peter Karanja delivered objects for the contest to the Miss Tourism Kenya 2018 Kakamega County Chapter Steering Committee.
In a meeting held at the boardroom of Kakamega County First Lady Priscillah Oparanya, Chaired by the CECM for Trade, Industrialization and Tourism, Kassim Were, Karanja applauded the committee for being ahead of the pack on preparations for county pageant contests.
The Director handed over a Tiara (Crown), 3 Sashes and 15 Certificates to the Commitee’s Patron, H.E Priscillah Oparanya, to be awarded to successful pageants at different stages of the contest.
The delighted County First Lady thanked the MTK National Office for a continued healthy intergovernmental relationship and registered her wish for Kakamega to host the MTK finals in future. She, however, promised a tough contest in this year’s MTK at the national level.
CECM Kassim Were informed the meeting that all the 12 Sub-Counties of Kakamega will stage individual contests before winners battle it out at theCounty headquarters. Mr. Were urged participants to pick registration forms at the County Ward Offices or to download them from the county website; www.kakamega.go.ke before 10th August.
Were said the pillars for this year’s MTK-Kakamega Chapter are Flora and Fauna, Investment, Peace and Unity, Culture and Environment. He called on county residents to turn up in large numbers at their respective centers to witness, have fun and support their queens as they showcase the individual beauty, art, culture and wit.
Other members of the MTK 2018 Kakamega Chapter Steering Committee are from the Ministries of Social Services, Youth and Sports, ICT, E-Government and Communication, Chamber of Commerce – Kakamega, Youth Office – OG, County Hoteliers, and Former Kakamega Miss Tourism (2014/15).
Rabella Wendy Omollo from Homa Bay County won Miss Tourism 2016. Rabella floored 44 other contestants to win the coveted Miss Tourism Kenya title in a colourful ceremony held at Kidundu Stadium in Central Maragoli, Vihiga County on Sunday June 19 2016.
The First runner-up slot went to Miss Tourism Uasin Gishu County, and the second runner-up position went to Miss Tourism Bomet County. The six semi-finalists included: Miss Tourism Meru County, Nyeri County, Murang’a County, Homa Bay County, Uasin Gishu County and Bomet County.
Rabella impressed the panel of judges with her adept catwalk, prowess in communication, tall posture, graceful smile, effortless demeanor and ingenuity in marketing Kenya as the must-go tour destination.
Meanwhile, Kisumu County team led by Minister for Tourism,Culture and Sports Achie Alai on Tuesday visited Nandi County and specifically the County Minister – Valentine Chuomo in charge of Tourism, Culture, Social Services and her team to see how they market and promote their sites. Nandi County and Kisumu County in addition to 12 other counties, are members of LREB ( Lake Region Economic Block).
The team later visited Mlango Falls Chepkiit on River Kipkaren to learn how the County will convert the area into a conservancy in partnership with the local community who are fully supportive of the venue which will ensure they earn revenue. County revenue enforcement officers are on site as well as a guide. Kisumu County has similar sites and the County team will visit Kajulu Falls and Odino Falls next week to explore the same opportunities.
Accompanying the minister is the Director for Tourism- Thomas Ouko and Communications Officer Innocent Oleche.