Miss Universe Kenya Jean Ojiro honours late grandparents with first full interview in Dholuo
By Katemarthason Okudo, August 10, 2026Miss Universe Kenya Jean Ojiro has shared an emotional reflection after taking part in her first full interview conducted in Dholuo, dedicating the milestone to her late grandparents.
The beauty queen said the experience was particularly meaningful because of her strong connection to her heritage and her desire to keep her mother tongue alive for future generations.
In a post shared on her Instagram page on Monday, August 10, Ojiro described the interview as a personal moment that reminded her of the importance of preserving culture.
First full interview in Dholuo
Ojiro said she was honoured to receive the opportunity to conduct an entire interview in Dholuo, describing her excitement at being able to express herself in the language.
She noted that speaking her mother tongue publicly was more than simply an interview, as it allowed her to celebrate an important part of her identity. “I am extremely honoured to have been invited for an interview. It was my first time holding an entire interview in Dholuo, and I was literally ecstatic,” she said.
For Ojiro, the experience also represented an opportunity to show that indigenous languages can continue to have a place in modern conversations, particularly among younger generations.
Keeping her heritage alive
The beauty queen has spoken about the importance of heritage and language, saying she believes preserving one’s mother tongue is one way of keeping culture alive.
She explained that passing the language to future generations is important because languages carry traditions, stories and a sense of identity from one generation to another.
“If you know me, you know how important heritage is to me, and I believe that one of the most beautiful ways that I can preserve my heritage is through preserving my mother tongue and ensuring that I pass it along to the generations that are yet to come,” she said.
Her comments highlight the role young people can play in keeping indigenous languages in everyday use, especially at a time when many people communicate primarily in English and Kiswahili.
A tribute to her grandparents
Beyond celebrating her culture, the interview also brought back memories of her late grandparents, whom she wished could have witnessed the achievement.
/Instagram.
Ojiro said she particularly thought about her grandmothers, believing they would have been proud to see her speaking Dholuo during the interview. “I really wish that my late grandparents were here to witness this. This one was for them. This one was personal. For the culture,” she wrote.
She added that her grandmothers would have been especially happy to witness the moment.
The interview therefore became more than a professional appearance for Ojiro. It gave her a chance to celebrate the language she grew up with while honouring family members who played a part in her connection to her heritage.