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Jean Ojiro opens up about the struggle of being taller than her teachers
11th August, 2026 04:31 PM
Miss Universe Kenya Jean Ojiro has opened up about her experience growing up unusually tall, saying her height once made her nervous and anxious.
She recalled wishing she could be shorter when she was younger because she stood out from other children and even became taller than her teachers.
Jean explained that she was the same height as other children when she was in nursery school. She said this changed as she grew older, with class one being the last time she remembers being the same height as everyone else. By class five, she was already taller than all her teachers.
“Sometimes, when I was growing up, I wished I could be shorter. But now, not at all. Aki, I was so tall,” Jean Ojiro said on Monday, August 10, 2026, while talking to Oga Obinna.
Jean said her height became more noticeable as she progressed through school. She explained that by class five, she was taller than both her male and female teachers, making her feel uncomfortable about how much she stood out. She said the experience affected her confidence at the time.
“By the time I was in class 5, I was taller than all my teachers, both male and female. I was so tall. Sikua naipenda. It made me so nervous and anxious,” Jean Ojiro said.
Jean recalls growing up tall
Jean also shared that her height was not only something she experienced at school. She explained that her family members also have different heights, with both of her brothers being taller than her. She said her father is 6.4 while she stands at 5,11.
“Both my brothers are taller than I am. My dad is 6’4; I am 5’11. My mom is of regular height, 5’7,” Jean Ojiro said.
Jean said her experience with height was personal and acknowledged that it was something people could easily laugh about. She asked for sensitivity while sharing the memory, explaining that her childhood experience was not always easy for her.
Despite how she felt growing up, Jean now has a different view of her height. She said she no longer wishes to be shorter, showing how her feelings about a feature that once made her anxious have changed over time.
Jean was crowned Miss Universe Kenya 2026 during the pageant’s grand finale at Ole Sereni Hotel on Saturday, July 26, 2026. Her win marked the start of her preparations to represent Kenya at the Miss Universe competition, with her prize package also supporting her reign and career development.
