Tonnie talks to Sellah Bogonko (Miss Tourism 2007)

Sellah

Making of a Tourism Ambassador

Speaks to Anthony Nabiliki

Sellah fondly reminisces how she would stir-up excitement during playtime as a child, by infusing some haramu (foul-play), just to keep her peers alert. “You’d think the other kids would keep away from me? on the contrary, everyone would want to be on my team because we’d always win fair and square!” she asserts the ironic twist of events. A seemingly contrasting personality, one would say. Sellah tells of her being an introverted kid, so much so that some of their old neighbours would readily remember her younger sister and at the same time ask her parents “When did you have her (Sellah)?”

That was then, now standing at 5’8, Sellah amiably combines grace, beauty, a ‘killer’ smile, a passionate vision, a smart mind and an easy charm that saw her being crowned Miss Tourism Kenya 2007 during the Miss World Kenya pageant where she’d emerged as the 1st runners up.

This beauty queen was born in Kisii District, “The land of the finest sweet bananas,” as she dotingly puts it. A year after she sprung onto earth, her mum and herself moved to Nairobi to join Daddy who was working and living in the capital. She went for her primary school education at Joseph Kangethe where she remembers that for some strange reason, she enjoyed amazing favour from most of her teachers. “It helped me discover my leadership potential at a very early stage in life and I was able to maximize on it.”
Sellah joined St. Georges Girls High School for her O-levels. “I had a great time in high school, I have loads of fond memories.”

She recently cleared her University education where she was pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Studies and Sociology, her inclination being Personnel Management and Total Quality Management. “I plan to commence my Masters later this year,” she says.

“My life keeps shocking me,” Sellah says after I ask her where she sees herself in five years. Like every other typical young campus student, she knew only too well that come last December, it was graduation, then on for the hunt for a permanent job. This notion however swung to an entirely different angle. “I realized that for me to make the best of my Title I will have to take it seriously and invest enough of my time and effort to it.” But that doesn’t dampen her bigger picture. Sellah, with not so many words rolls out her five year plan as being a masters holder, newly married, Managing Director of an East African fast growing and profitable Company as well as president and Founder of a charity-based organization.

As the reigning Miss Tourism Kenya, Sellah understands her role ever so clearly. She understands that her crown automatically gives her a leadership role, it gives her a voice to speak out on various issues that affect society, she understands that she is the face of Tourism in the country and her mandate is to promote tourism both locally and abroad.

Sellah’s road to pageantry wasn’t always a visibly premeditated one. In her mind, she actually used to scoff at beauty pageants as just some event where people were judged on their beauty. “I did not approve of the whole scenario and I must confess that this was based on my ignorance.” During her first and second years at the Kenyatta University, two close friends, Connie and Nase enlisted her to compete in the University’s pageant Miss KU, in 2004 then in 2005. In 2004 she completely refused to give it a try but the following year she thought to herself, “Better try and fail than not try at all.” “I was shocked when the MC asked…who’s the ‘flyest-chic’ in K.U? and the crowd unanimously roared... Sellah!!!!! I was totally blown away.” What followed were fun times, a huge impact on the campus community and many lessons during her reign as the University’s beauty queen. Biggest lesson of them all, “Take risks, they do pay off.” Two years later her eyes were on the Miss Kenya Crown. And there she was, 1st runners up, automatically been crowned Miss Tourism Kenya. She attributes all these to prayer. “I have a close walk with God and this has been and continues to be my main anchor in everything I do.”

Life in the limelight comes with a fair share of public scrutiny and a whirlwind of criticism both positive and negative. For Sellah, positive criticism is always a plus to her since it helps her check up on her weak points. In the case of negative criticism she has learnt that people will always talk and that there is no way to control that. “What I can control however is my response to the same.” She says. “I surround myself with people who will encourage me.”

With her crown, Sellah has been a busy girl. At the moment she is involved in various peace initiative programs such as the Pamoja Youth Initiative dubbed Jaza Lorry and several others whose aim is to assist people who were displaced owing to the recent post election violence. She is also working on several promotional strategies that are aimed towards restoring Tourist confidence in Kenya as a supreme destination . “My main upcoming project will be focused on promoting domestic tourism in Kenya.” This she says is vital because International Tourism alone cannot substantially sustain the sector. “Once a travel ban is issued, the tourism industry goes to a near collapse, which in my view should not be the case.”

SELLAH AT A GLANCE

Biggest passion in life
I’m very passionate about God. He has been and continues to be very central in my life. I have seen young people especially ladies make crazy choices in their lives; I have a passion to help them discover their purpose and live to maximize their potential

Hobbies
I enjoy hanging out with my friends, Networking, Reading motivational books, surfing the net, listening to music, shopping and photography.

Self Inspiration
I derive my inspiration first and foremost from the Bible. God through His word gives me revelation of the most amazing stuff and keeps reminding me that nothing is impossible through him. Secondly I am very privileged to be born into an amazing family, my parents (The Bogonko’s) and Siblings (Eric, Lilian, Judy, Willy and Tony) support and encourage me in everything I do. I’m also fortunate to be surrounded by people who are high achievers in life as well as God fearing. I happen to have several mentors and accountability groups and these keep me focused. I’m grateful to both these groups for their significant contribution to where I am today.

Best ingredients of a beauty queen
I believe everyone is beautiful in spite of the outward appearance. For you to bring out that inner beauty you have to start by loving and appreciating yourself. Confidence plays a key role in being a beauty queen. Contrary to popular belief, brains and beauty go hand in hand. Not all beauty queens are dumb-blondes. Another ingredient is discipline. Most of us have to watch what we eat and take good care of our skin, hair etc. That needs a lot of discipline. Beyond just being stunning, you need to possess a pleasant personality.

Beauty tip
Three things that every girl must own- Cleanser, Toner and Moisturizer…some can be improvised but these are a worthwhile investment. Steam and scrub your face weekly. Know what works best for your skin and invest in that. Having that perfect face does not necessarily mean spending a fortune.

Life’s most memorable moments?
The night I was crowned Miss KU, that was awesome. When I got my letter to join St.George’s Girls School, every time I sashay on the catwalk with the lights and cameras- especially last November during the Miss Kenya pageant.

Relationship
Just Family and friends, nothing romantic

Your take in keeping love alive in a relationship
I believe both parties have to WANT the flame to keep burning. Love is always about the other person so both parties have to be mindful of the partner. They must be willing to go that extra mile for the other person and sometimes, most times, sacrifice what they want for the other sake of their loved one. True love is sincere and trust is fundamental for any relationship.

Plans for Valentines Day?
Well I pray that the current tension in country will have cooled down by then, at least for the sake of all the love birds out there. As for me, being a Thursday I’ll definitely be working. I don’t have solid plans yet but I can not miss something to do.

Peace message
Our world renowned athletes can attest to the fact that even when you slip in a race, you still have the chance to win; it’s all a matter of attitude and choice. We have slipped but we have not fallen. There is Hope for our Nation!!! Let’s now more than ever find the solution to tribalism and not just sweep it under the carpet. Let’s focus on what unites
us and not what divides us. Like the words of our National Anthem…LETS ALL WITH ONE ACCORD together join hands in building Kenya. May God bring peace to Kenya, because only He can.

Best colour - GREEN anyday
Best movie - I’m not into movies but I enjoyed Transformers - that was cool.
Best drink - Fresh Juice-cocktail
Best food - Pilau
Best day of the week - Friday
Best style - Anything long and elegant