Irene Ngendo Mukii, who was crowned in a glittering ceremony at Argyle Grand Hotel in Nairobi, represented Kenya at the international event but faced backlash over her results and showcased outfits.

Kenyan netizens have expressed their displeasure with Miss Universe Kenya’s performance at the Miss Universe Pageant held in Mexico.

Irene Ngendo Mukii, who was crowned in a glittering ceremony at Argyle Grand Hotel in Nairobi, represented Kenya at the international event but faced backlash over her results and showcased outfits.

In the first week of the 2024 Miss Universe Pageant, Mukii ranked among the top seven contestants from Africa and Oceania. Despite this achievement, criticism ensued, particularly concerning her costume choices.

Addressing the feedback in a recent Instagram post, Mukii spoke about her love for Kenyan culture and explained the significance behind one of her outfits, which featured faces of notable athletes to honor the country's prowess in long-distance running.

In her caption, she wrote:

"The moment we’ve all been waiting for is here! Miss Universe Kenya @irene_mukii has made us proud by showcasing our global legacy of marathon greatness and our rich running culture through her phenomenal national costume."

She added:

"As the finals are upon us, let’s rally behind @irene_mukii and show the world the unbreakable spirit of Kenya. 🌍"

Mukii’s call for unity and pride in Kenya’s global athletic heritage is a reminder of the positive impact of cultural representation on an international stage.

Netizens have taken to social media to express their views, with digital influencer and lawyer Maureen Waititu sharing an emotional opinion on Mukii's national costume at the Miss Universe pageant.

In her recent Instagram post, Maureen voiced her frustration over the controversy, laying blame on what she described as mishandling of the situation. She wrote:

"I’m probably a few days late, but I haven’t stopped thinking and wincing in embarrassment about someone somewhere who decided to mess up this Kenyan 🇰🇪 queen’s national outfit 😖😩 in the Miss Universe pageant, as if the Olympic’s outfits were not embarrassing enough 😩."

She continued:

"What went wrong? Yes, I’ve heard that she lost her luggage and therefore had to improvise her outfit, but I am not buying it 🙉🙉. Huyu mchezo sio mgeni jijini. I also hear that they messed up the original designer. Whoever is responsible, please do better! She deserved better!"

Maureen’s candid post has added to the ongoing debate, with many Kenyans echoing her sentiments and calling for accountability in how their representatives are supported on global stages.