Kenya’s Irene Ng’endo Mukii, winner of the 2019/20 Miss Africa beauty pageant, organized by the Cross River State government, has called out organizers of the event for neglecting the full payment of winnings and add-ons, due to her from the event.
In a letter widely circulating online titled, “Gross Misconduct By Miss Africa Organization Over A Two-Year Overdue Agreement”, Mukii deeply regrets having to “write this press address ” and clearly states that a Ford Escape Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, a fully paid trip to Malaysia and 35,000 USDs as prize money, were due her for emerging winner. While she took delivery of the SUV, the trip to Malaysia and the receipt of 8,000 USDs, were still contentious issues.
She further stated that while she has been relentless in reaching out to the organizers of this event, response has come in the form of five part payments of her prize money, the last made in January 2022, with an outstanding balance of 8,000 USDs still pending. “I can’t in good faith advocate that any woman participates in this pageant”, she painfully stated.
RESPONSE
Christian Ita, S.A Media & Chief Press Secretary to the CRS governor, immediately reacted to Irene Mukii’s letter and contentious issues.He wrote:
“We will like to clear the air on a message that has been brought to our notice on a post by one of our past Miss Africa Queen Irene Nguendo.”
“On winning her crown she was paid her prize money of 35,000 United States dollars in full and given her brand new car. After her reign in 2020 she offered to sell her car and the Organisation is aware and can confirm that $10,000 has been paid with a balance of $8,000 due before the Grand Finale.”
“On the $3000 and the trip to Malaysia she won as the winner of the food festival,this was a promise made directly by the sponsor as Miss Irene can confirm and not the Miss Africa Organisation.”
“However due to the Covid 19 outbreak in 2020, that trip did not hold and Carnival Calabar has not held for two years same as the Miss Africa Pageant in 2021. We still believe that the sponsor will use this year’s event to redeem that pledge as the food festival is still billed to hold.”
“The Miss Africa Organization will like to state clearly that the organisation made sure that all her prizes were given to her which she can confirm before she left Calabar for her home country Kenya, as we have kept to our promises to all our past and present queens.”
“The Miss Africa Organization has been in constant communication with Miss Irene and will help to ensure that all third party pledges and transactions are redeemed appropriately.”
