Lindsay Soila has questioned whether Elizabeth Matayan’s participation in the Miss Lang’ata prison beauty pageant is evidence of genuine rehabilitation, arguing that wearing a crown does not necessarily mean someone has changed their character.

Speaking during an appearance on the IKO NINI Podcast, Lindsay shared her thoughts on prison beauty pageants, acknowledging that incarceration is difficult and that inmates deserve opportunities to experience some happiness while serving their sentences.

However, she questioned the bigger purpose of such activities, particularly when the individuals involved have unresolved issues with people affected by their past actions.

“Being behind bars, I believe I've never been, but it is quite tough, and the main point is to rehabilitate them and try to make them a better person,” Lindsay said.

Her comments come following renewed public attention surrounding Matayan, who participated in the Miss Lang’ata prison pageant before being released on probation in 2026.

Lindsay Soila Questions Purpose of Miss Lang’ata Pageant

While Lindsay acknowledged that prison pageants could give inmates a reason to feel good about themselves, she questioned whether the activities achieve their intended rehabilitation goals.

She explained that personal grooming and beauty activities could positively influence someone's confidence and self-image, noting that makeup is something she personally values.

“Maybe they feel such scenarios will also remind them that they can still enjoy a few joys in life. For me, make-up is close to my heart. I think sometimes it changes how you see yourself, competence and all that,” she explained.

However, Lindsay was keen to point out that she did not necessarily consider the pageant itself a glorification of inmates.

Instead, her concern was what happens after the celebrations and whether the rehabilitation message is reflected in the participants' actions.

“I wouldn't say it's more glorifying now. The only thing I'd question is truly what's the main purpose of the whole scenario afterwards?” she asked.

'Having a Crown Doesn't Mean You Have a Good Heart'

Lindsay further claimed that Matayan's pageant achievement had been used as a weapon to mock the court, raising concerns about how the public interprets rehabilitation and second chances.

“For my case, they've used that as a weapon to make a mockery of the law court,” she said.

She questioned whether winning a beauty crown should automatically be interpreted as proof that an inmate has undergone meaningful personal transformation.

“You see, having a crown in your head doesn't necessarily mean you have a change of a good heart, and if it's not reflected that way, then are we sure the rehabilitation is actually working?” Lindsay posed.

Lindsay Soila Still Lives With Consequences of 2023 Incident

The renewed debate comes against the backdrop of the September 2023 incident that left Lindsay permanently blind in her left eye.

Matayan has previously maintained that shattered vehicle glass injured Lindsay, while Lindsay has insisted that Elizabeth struck her eye with a stone.

The civil matter concerning the injury and compensation remains ongoing.

With Matayan now back in the public eye following her release, Lindsay's comments have reignited conversations about rehabilitation, accountability and the meaning of genuine change.

For Lindsay, the question goes beyond a beauty pageant or a crown. It is whether rehabilitation can truly be considered successful when accountability remains a concern for the person who continues to live with the consequences.