The much anticipated KEDIA Awards – Dubai chapter went off very smoothly at Dubai’s Spree Club.

Starting with the Red Carpet photo-shoot at 7 p.m, the event succeeded in bringing together the very best of Kenyans in the UAE. By 9 p.m, the VIP section was already filled up and most of those who had not reserved VIP tables still had a great view at the beautifully set gallery.

The major Sponsors of this event included, Beauty Africa magazine, Benton College, Africa Business Pages and Rwandair, which provided free tickets for Personality of the Year Award and brought the Artists of the Day Jua Cali, Churchill Show artist Butita from Nairobi and Dazzlah from Mombasa. Due to a last minute passport hitch, the chief host Chipukeezy had to miss the show.

Africa Business Pages and Beauty Africa Digital magazine were the Media Sponsors for the KEDIA Beauty Awards for Kenyans held in Dubai at Spree, The Club on 6th May, 2016. At this star-studded event, Kenyans in Dubai crowned their own Miss Kenya Dubai as well as Mr. Kenya Dubai.

The exclusive red carpet event was attended by leading community leaders in Dubai. The three-member judges panel included Associate Editor of Africa Business Pages (www.africa-business.com) and Beauty Africa magazine (www.beauty-africa.com), Mr. N. Hasan; CEO of Finchitua couture, Ms. Feiruza Mudessir and Ms. Sarah Wachike, renowned Kenyan fashion designer based in Dubai.

The 40,000+ Kenyans living in Dubai have been actively organising community events and get-togethers to stay in touch with each other. In addition to crowning Miss Kenya Dubai, the event also acknowledged and awarded individuals and companies that have made a positive contribution in the lives of Kenyans residing in Dubai.

Celebrated Kenyan artistes from the music and comedy genre graced the occasion.

Colour, beauty and celebration marked the Miss Kenya Dubai and Mr Kenya Dubai categories thanks to the make-up from Benton College personnel and the amazing outfits from Nairobi based Mueni Musee Designs.

The judges selected top winners from each of the 3 categories (Casual, Evening and African wear) and the overall 9 winners will take part in the Finalists event to be held at the same venue immediately after the holy month of Ramadan. Winners of the day were Ivey Mido and Stanley Njau, who received judges’ awards. They will now all battle it out for a top prize of AED 10,000 and 5,000 AED (Winner and Runner’s up).

Top Finalists selected by the judges were:

Miss Kenya Dubai

• Ivey Mido
• Debby Georges
• Susan Njoroge
• Michelle Bertha
• Wamaitha Nimo
• Brenda Mutesi
• Joyce Ndegwa
• Beatrice Mwaniki
• Beryl Band

Mr Kenya Dubai

• Stanley Njau
• Alex Simon
• Jeff Maingi
• Chevy Ernesto
• Peter Nganga

The “Company of the Year” and “Employer of the Year” categories did not receive as much attention as it deserved. Voting for these categories was done Online and as such many companies were not fully represented at the venue. Top on the list were the Kenya-based real estate companies, followed by tourism companies Forever Tourism and Primkett. Gulf African Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank and I&M Banks were the leaders in the Banks category, while Air Arabia and Rwandair received hundreds of votes in the Airlines category. Mount Kenya University was the only Educational institution that received nominations.

For “Employer of the Year” companies that were nominated included Kenya Airways, Jambo Grill, The Kenyan Consulate Dubai, Dahabshil, African Salhiya, Gulf News, Map Express, Instant Cash, Amal Express and Express Money.

The “Personality of the Year Award” category had the highest number of contestants and the highest number of votes. With over 40,000 Kenyans in the region, this was expected. The nominee in this category with the highest votes Mr Hassan Mwadzayo received a return ticket from Mr Timothy Njihia, Country Director for Rwandair.
Nominees in this category are:-

• Hassan Mwadzayo
• Peninah Nyokabi
• Wycliffe Owino
• Nicholas Mwangi
• Grishon Githinji
• Habs Brandy
• Joyce Katunge
• George Wachiuri

All these received nomination certificates and will battle it for the top 5,000 AED prize to be presented at the final event.

Surpassing all expectations, this ended up being one of the very best Kenyan events in the recent past. All the companies represented were very impressed with the attention they were accorded. They were able to display their products and interact with the hundreds of Kenyans who attended the action packed event.

The entertainment offered, from the Mombasa Star Dazzlah, the Surprise star MEG C to the King of Genge Jua Cali kept the entire event lively. The Final concert will be immediately after Ramadan at a date to be announced shortly. Watch this space.