RWANDESE NATIONAL TAKES TOP PRIZE AT THE SECOND EDITION OF MISS EAST AFRICA BEAUTY CONTEST

The second edition of Miss East Africa was held on Saturday June 4, 2011 in Paris, France. The event took place in “La Vedette” boat on the River Seine at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The boat was quickly filled to capacity after the doors were opened to the public to welcome members of the Diaspora of the five countries that form the East African Community (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda).
The guest of honor of the event was Mrs. Greta Swings, Director of Kenya Airways. Also present were representatives of the East African Embassies: His Excellency Gaspard Musavyarabona- Ambassador of Burundi to France, Her Excellency Dr. Mary Khimulu- Ambassador/Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Mr Michael Katungye who represented H.E Elizabeth Paula Napeyok- Ambassador of Uganda to France, and Mr. Edwin Maloba who represented Her Excellency Salma Ahmed- Ambassador of Kenya to France. Special guests were former Miss East Africa 2010, Clementine Buyoya and her mother Her Excellency Sofia Buyoya, former First Lady of Burundi.

Miss East Africa 2011 also attracted the participation of several sponsors namely Kenya Airways, Bank of Africa-France, Black Up cosmetics, Vedettes de Paris and organisers of La Nuit Africaine.

After a series of fashion shows displaying African and evening wear, the jury chose15-year old Shelina Scaravelli from Rwanda as Miss East Africa 2011. Arielle Mugisha from Burundi and June Odhiambo from Kenya were first and second runners up

This event was an initiative by Kenyan women in the Diaspora, events organizer and Mshale consultant Alambo Bauwa, Mrs. Marie-Agnes Erocido and Mrs. Jacinta Secourf. The aim of this event was to bring East Africans under one roof for one fun night in a magical city of lights that is Paris to celebrate the African Woman. The Kenya Embassy in Paris played a key role in facilitating the event and encouraging its sister Embassies to back the initiative. The event won the endorsement of the East African Embassies who were represented and participated actively. Furthermore, it was a means of promoting the rich cultural diversity of East Africa through fashion, food and music and encouraging regional cohesion of the Diaspora from the East African countries.