Reigning Miss World Kenya, Ivy Trizah Muhenje, has officially launched her Beauty With a Purpose project with a visit to Lang’ata Women’s Maximum Security Prison in Nairobi, focusing on supporting incarcerated mothers and their young children.

Working in partnership with the organization Clean Start Africa, the initiative aims to bring greater attention, care, and opportunities to children whose mothers are serving prison sentences.

Under Kenyan law, children aged 0 to 4 years may remain with their mothers in prison, meaning many begin life within correctional facilities. Through her project, Ivy hopes to ensure that these children are seen, supported, and given a brighter start in life, while also advocating for dignity, rehabilitation, and second chances for their mothers.

Miss World Kenya shared the emotional impact of her visit:

“Yesterday I walked through the gates of Lang’ata Women’s Prison with a mission in my heart and hope in my hands. As I listened to their stories, I was reminded that behind every sentence is still a mother, a woman who loves, hopes, and dreams for her child’s future.”

Her project also highlights the inspiring story behind Clean Start Africa, founded by Teresa Njoroge. After being falsely accused and spending a year imprisoned at Lang’ata Women’s Prison, Njoroge dedicated her life to helping formerly incarcerated women rebuild their lives and break the cycle of poverty and crime.

During the visit, Ivy met with prison officials and partners working to improve conditions, including education programs and rehabilitation opportunities for inmates. Despite ongoing challenges such as infrastructure and resource constraints, the facility continues to provide training programs that allow some women to return to school and pursue professional careers after release.

The visit marked the official launch of Miss World Kenya’s Beauty With a Purpose journey, which she describes as only the beginning of a broader mission to restore hope for families affected by incarceration.

“No child should carry the weight of their mother’s mistakes, and no mother should lose the hope of rebuilding her life,” she said.