Magline Jeruto Crowned Miss World Kenya

Elgeyo Marakwet County's Magline Jeruto has been crowned Miss World Kenya 2017.

The beauty queen piped seven other competitors drawn from different counties to scoop the coveted title at an event held at The Mall in Nairobi's Westlands on Saturday.

Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris was among key pageantry personalities who graced the event.

Ashleys Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Terry Mungai, outgoing Miss World Kenya Eve Njambi and Mr World Kenya Kevin Owiti were also present at the event.

Despite holding open auditions at Two Rivers Mall where over 200 models took parr, the franchise holder Ashleys was forced to draw its finalists from the previous year’s competitors as a result of political temperature in the country and the fast approaching Miss World competitions in China, which would have been time-barred had they sought to organize another event.

Machakos County’s Sheila Kanini and Meru County’s Ntinyari Mburukua were 1st and 2nd runners up respectively.

Keryl Cindy Miss World Kisii, Nicksylvia Muriuki (Kirinyaga), Weficha Doreen (Kakamega), Megan Wallace (Kilifi), Kagendo Faith (Isiolo) were other finalists in the contest.

The dark-beauty, who has a very close resemblance with Oscars award- winning Hollywood actress Lupita Nyong’o expressed her excitement after being crowned, having unsuccessfully contested twice for the crown in the past.

“I am so happy, I can’t believe I am representing Kenya,” the elated beauty queen said.

“It has been a dream but thank God it has come true,” she added.

Magline has big shoes to fill, given that her predecessor Evelyn Njambi came fifth at the world competitions in Manila, Phillipines last year and went ahead to be crowned Miss World Africa.

She will represent Kenya in Sanya, China, later in the year for the Miss Universe contest.