MEET KENYA’S NEW QUEEN! Miss International Kenya 2026 Wilkister Chepkoech

Duration: 4:32 774 transcript words EN summary

Video summary

Lukresia Chepkemoi has been crowned Miss International Kenya 2026 following an intense boot camp experience that she describes as the pageant version of military training. The rigorous two-week period involved constant learning, unlearning, physical running, and waking up early, creating significant pressure throughout the process. Despite these challenges, Lukresia expressed immense gratitude for the deep bonds formed with her fellow contestants, noting that she now has a new family of twenty-two sisters who will remain connected for life. She highlighted how this experience expanded her sense of belonging beyond her single biological sister, emphasizing the lifelong commitment required to maintain these relationships. The newly crowned queen's primary purpose is deeply rooted in social impact rather than just traditional pageant standards. Her mission focuses on ensuring that every person in Kenya possesses basic first aid skills to prevent avoidable deaths caused by a lack of immediate medical knowledge or delayed response times. Lukresia specifically aims to empower boda boda riders, nannies, teachers, parents, and neighbors with the ability to perform CPR, stop severe bleeding, and save choking children. She believes that beauty serves as an entry point into society, but it is intelligence and service that sustain a queen's influence and allow her to make a lasting difference in her community. Addressing common misconceptions about beauty queens, Lukresia clarified that she carries both beauty and brains, noting her background as a mathematics and computer science student. She argued that the narrative of pageant winners being merely superficial is false, pointing out that these women are actively changing societal narratives and creating real impact. Her message to young girls aspiring to wear a crown is one of empowerment, strength, and limitless potential, encouraging them to pursue their dreams with confidence. She wants future generations to remember her reign for the life-saving skills she instilled in others rather than just the crown itself. What truly sets Lukresia apart from the other twenty-two finalists is her commitment to authenticity and giving one hundred percent effort in everything she does. She operates without regrets, accepting outcomes with gratitude whether things go as planned or not, but always ensuring her full dedication is present. This unique approach of being her authentic self while delivering maximum effort defines her character and distinguishes her from the rest of the group. As she prepares to represent Kenya on the international stage in Tokyo, the focus remains on what she will achieve with the crown and how she will continue to uplift her country through service and education.

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We are still at a Miss International Kenya 2026 and right here with me I am hanging out with a newly crowned Miss International Kenya 2026. Congratulations. >> so much. >> You look absolutely amazing and I am proud of you. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. >> All right, please introduce yourself. >> My name is Lukresia Chepkemoi and I'm Miss International Kenya 2026. >> Amazing. Now, did you see this coming? >> I gave my best and this is what I'm I was hoping for and I'm glad that is how it ended. >> Yeah. Now, through the boot camp, the training, how was it? Where was the pressure during this training? >> The whole boot camp is pressure. When you hear boot camp, it's really real boot camp. I say it's the pageant version of military boot camp. The waking up, the running, constant learning. You have to learn and unlearn constantly. >> Yeah. >> That was tough. >> And what was the most beautiful part about being part of this? >> The beautiful 16 sisters that I now have. Oh, not 16, 22. I'm so grateful. That is a whole new family of people that we've bonded with over the past 2 weeks. And it's a lifelong bond. You have to keep [clears throat] staying together, farming. I'm so glad. I only have one sister. So, now I've added to the pool of many sisters I have. >> Amazing. Now, um when we look at what you're getting today and when I hear the kind of purpose that Miss Universe, or rather Miss International Kenya has, what is your purpose? >> To ensure that we live in a Kenya where every person can perform basic first aid skill so that we can get rid of preventable deaths. No one should die because the people that were present did not know what to do or help arrived too late. >> Yeah. >> So, that is why I run every second counts. >> Yeah. >> That's what we do there. >> Beauty or brains and why? >> [laughter] >> No, can can we just please >> No, you have to choose and why? >> [laughter] >> Let me just take beauty and brains. They both coexist together. Beauty is what gets you in the room and brain is what will keep you there. >> Uh-huh. >> And rise your purpose and service. >> Yeah. We have a lot of misconceptions when it comes to beauty queens. What is that one that you have experienced that you would want to nullify today? >> That concept of beauty or brains, we carry both. >> Uh-huh. >> I am a mathematics and computer science student. >> Yeah. >> And clearly today from today you could hear what all the other girls were doing. These are people who are changing narratives in their society. They're not just beautiful faces. They're re-making real impact. >> Yeah. With this crown of yours, 1 year later, when you are going to be giving out the crown, what do you want us to remember you for? >> I want you to remember me for being the girl that empowered Kenyans with basic life saving skills. That people will be able to perform basic CPR, basic stopping severe bleeding. I say by the end of this this reign, boda boda riders should be able to stop severe bleeding. Nannies, teachers, and parents should be able to save choking children and your neighbor should be able to perform a CPR. >> Yeah. For a young girl who's watching you today and hoping one day they get to wear a crown just like you, please talk to them. >> Dear young girl, you are capable, you are strong, you are beautiful. Go for it. There's no limit to what you can achieve. And I'm so proud of you in case no one told you that. >> Last question, Waikista. What is that one unique thing that sets you apart from the rest of the 22 girls? >> I come along as my authentic self. What you see is what you get and I give 100% in everything I do. No room for regrets. If it If it goes my way, well and good. I'll be grateful. If not, then I'll have given 100. Yeah. All right, ladies and gentlemen, you heard it from the newly crowned Miss International Kenya 2026. Congratulations once again and we can't wait to see what you do with your crown. Tokyo, here we come. The crown must come to Kenya. >> Congratulations. >> Sponsor Bob. >> [bell]