Q: Please introduce yourself.
My name is Aisha Mohamed Mwasene, and I am a Prison Officer in charge of Talent and Entertainment at Lang’ata Women’s Prison. Alongside my official duties, I am also a professional dancer.
I have had the honour of performing under the Permanent Presidential Music Commission during major national celebrations, including the 2023 Jamhuri Day, the 2024 Mashujaa Day in Kwale County, and the 2024 Jamhuri Day.
Different people express their love for their country in different ways. For me, it’s through the arts — that’s where I feel most in my element, where I can connect, inspire, and serve with purpose.
Q: What was it like organising Miss Lang’ata?
Organising a fashion event is hard, you have to think about everything. The sound system, lighting, chairs, tents, especially if it’s an outdoor event. And those are just the infrastructural elements. Beyond that, you need to find the right trainers, makeup artists, and clothing brands willing to collaborate and bring the vision to life.
I reached out to different brands through email and Instagram, carefully choosing those whose values aligned with the spirit of the event and who were already involved in community work. Still, some were hesitant when they realised the event involved inmates. They worried about their image or potential loss in value. But I took the time to explain that many of these women are not what people assume. Some are victims of circumstance, yet they’re constantly judged. It takes a special kind of person to look beyond someone’s past and embrace them with compassion.
Q: What challenges did you face in making it happen?
Convincing everyone wasn’t easy. Some people believed the previous organiser should take up the role again, and even the inmates were skeptical since last year’s pageant hadn’t gone so well. Many felt they hadn’t gained much from the experience. But I was determined to make it better this time.
The new officer in charge believed in me from the start, and that trust gave me the motivation to go the extra mile. I also decided to involve the inmates directly, so their needs, both material and emotional, were met. That changed everything. When they felt seen and valued, the energy around the event shifted completely.
Q: How did you ensure this year’s event stood out?
These women are talented, kind-hearted, and eager to experience new things. Some were shy at first, especially those who had participated before and didn’t win any title, but with encouragement, they rediscovered their confidence and agreed to come back for a second time.
Visibility was also important to me. I aimed to invite artists with a strong social media presence because, at the end of the day, the success of Miss Lang’ata often depends on who talks about it afterward. I reached out to people of influence and was pleasantly surprised by how readily they said yes. From them, I learned that real influence lies in using one’s platform to bring joy to those who need it most.
Q: Looking back, what stands out most from this experience?
Through this journey, I met some of the kindest people — from the officers who supported me to the inmates who reminded me what resilience truly looks like.
I have crowned a new Miss Lang’ata for the staff, but I haven’t relinquished my mission to make each edition better and more meaningful every single time.
