Miss Universe Kenya 2026: Jean Ojiro celebrates her victory/Jean/IGThe management of Miss Universe Kenya 2026 has defended the integrity of the national pageant and outlined preparations for the newly crowned queen ahead of the global competition in Puerto Rico.
In a statement, the organisation addressed recent public commentary surrounding the conduct of key resources and management decisions following the conclusion of the Miss Universe Kenya 2026 competition.
The management said leaving the concerns unaddressed could cast an unfair shadow over contestants and distract from preparations for Kenya’s representative to compete on the global stage.
On allegations involving a former official, the organisation said the safety and comfort of contestants remained its priority.
It said allegations of overly tactile and inappropriate conduct had been brought to its attention and, although unsubstantiated, the official was promptly relieved of his country duties on July 12, 2026.
“The leave remained in effect through the Grand Finale held on July 25.”
The organisation said that while there had been no new evidence supporting earlier claims and no first-person submissions on the allegations, it had reached a mutual understanding with the official to terminate his role with the pageant, effective August 4.
The management also sought to defend the selection process, saying deliberate measures had been taken to ensure an impartial competition and identify a globally competitive winner.
Among the measures was the separation of the Grand Finale judging panel from teams involved in national casting, boot camps and preliminary training.
It also assembled an international judging panel with experience in casting, pageant production, public speaking, brand management, performance coaching and global Miss Universe standards.
The organisation acknowledged that pageantry can generate strong emotions and that disappointment after a finale is understandable. However, it urged participants and members of the public to reject what it termed baseless allegations that could undermine the newly crowned queen and the legacy of the crown.
Miss Universe Kenya management also addressed questions over its engagement with professionals from neighbouring pageant organisations.
It said it had leveraged existing relationships within the East African pageant community to access creative and commercial expertise, arguing that regional collaboration would strengthen Kenya’s representation internationally.
The organisation specifically mentioned industry consultant Mitchelle Daka, who supported the team on various creative elements and voluntarily provided fitness apparel for sporting-themed events ahead of the Grand Finale in her capacity as an investor in the athleisure sector.
Management said Daka’s involvement was not intended to be exclusive or prevent her from pursuing other creative and commercial interests.
As preparations for the global contest get underway, the organisation said its focus had now shifted towards preparing the Kenyan queen for Puerto Rico.
The programme will include developing a high-concept fashion narrative with leading East African and international designers, strengthening media, public speaking and vocal skills, and expanding her social impact initiative.
She will also undergo advanced training in movement, runway stagecraft and camera-facing techniques with international pageantry experts.
The management said its ambition goes beyond preparing a contestant, describing the project as an effort to establish a sustainable and commercially viable brand ecosystem around Miss Universe Kenya.
“We are building more than a contender,” the organisation said, as it thanked Kenyans for their support and expressed its determination to take Kenya to the global stage.
