The Kenyan beauty pageant scene has taken a dramatic turn following the abrupt dethronement of Miss Earth Kenya 2025 Mirel Atieno Ngesa. Esther Princess Mukoya takes the crown in her place.
The controversy, which pits the franchise organisation against its former titleholder, involves accusations of a breakdown in conduct on one side and claims of poor support, lack of transparency and emotional distress on the other.
The Miss Earth Kenya organisation released an official statement announcing that following a “comprehensive review of recent activities and conduct,” Mirel Atieno Ngesa’s continued representation was “no longer tenable.”
The organisation said its decision was reached after careful deliberation and is rooted in the platform’s core values of “sustainable, grassroots advocacy,” where titleholders are expected to be “genuine sustainability ambassadors.”
“Transparency and professionalism are an important foundation of every title holder’s success. There was breach of contractual obligation and despite sending Miss Mirel an email and text to showcase why, she did not respond but resulted to cyber bullying,” Miss Earth Kenya Managing Director Beverly Jalang’o told The Standard.
Just hours after the announcement, Mirel Atieno Ngesa, who identifies as an environmental and sustainability advocate issued a press release on social media denying the claims and offering her side of the story.
Ngesa confirmed her title was revoked on October 8, just days after receiving a notice from the national director, Beverly, which she says was triggered by her inquiry about the status of sponsorships.
She stated that the official reason given was the “solicitation of sponsorships “without authorization.”
Ngesa detailed facing “severe emotional distress, navigating hostility, avoidance and lack of communication” from the national director and her team.
She alleged that her personal efforts to secure local travel, accommodation, wardrobe, and professional styling had gone unsupported, and that promises made to her, including a plot of land and/or cash prize in Malindi, were not delivered.
In a rejoinder Beverly has refuted the claims, saying the sponsor had given clear timeliness on when the title deed for the land would be available.
“We were given timelines on this and she was even offered a ready title for another piece of land in Magadi, but she refused the offer. In that meeting, she was accompanied by her father,” said Beverly.
The organisation claims that the move has put it at loggerheads with other sponsors who had supported them out of goodwill, but remains committed to ensuring that the new runway queen, Esther Princess Mukoya receives enough support as she heads to Philippines for the Miss Earth 2025 contest.