Former Sports and Youth Affairs cabinet secretary Ababu Namwamba on Saturday evening, August 17, 2024, was treated to a lavish bush dinner in the company of a bevy of beauties at the iconic Maasai Mara National Reserve.
In the world-class treat which brought together the reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua and Miss Universe Kenya Irene Mukii Ng’endo, the beauties had a sumptuous dinner in the bush over a bonfire.
Palacios beat 83 beauties from all over the world to become the first Nicaraguan to be crowned the 72nd Miss Universe.
Palacios has been in the country since touching down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on August 15, 2024, ahead of the crowning of Miss Universe Kenya Irene Ng’endo on Friday, August 16, 2024.
During the ceremony, Ng’endo emerged on top to represent Kenya in the upcoming 73rd Miss Universe pageant to be held in Mexico in November.
Ng’endo was closely followed by Mercy Cherotich and Stacy Sang as the first and second runners-up respectively.
The other pageant contestants were Fridah Kariuki, Grace Maghanga, Mokeira Onchiri, Karren Kiprotich, Nichole Israel, Pauline Gichohi, Sadia Said, Tabitha Ashley, Susan Wahu, Vivian Olago and Vennessa Sunday.
Others were Annabelle Reeno, Aiyan Abdi, Brenis Wanyonyi, Brenda Njoki, Britney Kimani and Esther Achieng’ who were picked from a pool of over 360 contestants.
Maasai Mara
The Mara is known the world over for its big five which includes the lion, elephant, leopard rhino and cape buffalo.
The place is also famous for its rich Maasai culture, with tourists often treated to their cultural dances and unique delicacies during and after their safaris.
However, one of the greatest sights is the wildebeest migration where also elands and zebras cross the treacherous Mara River from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara game park.
This breathtaking scene usually happens from late March to May and from November to early January as the animals move in search of water and better pastures.