Would-be beauty queens and kings take part in a ground-breaking new Kenyan pageant for albinos

Would-be beauty queens and kings take part in a ground-breaking new Kenyan pageant celebrating people with albinism

  • Hundreds participated in the first Mr and Miss Albinism East Africa pageant in Nairobi on Friday
  • The new pageant seeks to defeat the deadly stigma and prejudice which those with albinism face in Africa
  • Organiser Isaac Mwaura, Kenya’s first albino lawmaker, said: ‘People with albinism are people like any other’
  • Ignorance drives people to kill albinos for their body parts which they believe bring wealth and good fortune 

A ground-breaking beauty pageant for people with albinism has encouraged confidence and inclusion for those who remain the target of deadly stigma in Africa.

The first Mr and Miss Albinism East Africa pageant on Friday night in Nairobi saw participants from Tanzania and Uganda, as well as Kenya.

Elizabeth James of Tanzania said she wanted an end to the ignorance which drives some to kill people with albinism for their body parts or even dig up graves in the misguided belief that they will bring wealth and good fortune. 

Event organiser Isaac Mwaura, Kenya’s first albino legislator, said the pageant was a way to build self-esteem: ‘People with albinism are people like any other, and for sure we are also beautiful.’

 

An albino man struts his stuff on the catwalk during the Mr and Miss Albinism East Africa contest in Nairobi, Kenya on Friday

Eight-year-old Rebecca Zawadi performs on the catwalk during the Mr and Miss Albinism Kenya Beauty Pageant as spectators sit around the stage at tables and on sofas

Eight-year-old Rebecca Zawadi performs on the catwalk during the Mr and Miss Albinism Kenya Beauty Pageant as spectators sit around the stage at tables and on sofas

Kenyan contestant Clinton Ontita wowed judges with his stunning ensemble, featuring a rams skull for his headdress and a hide shield, with an animal skin cape

Kenyan contestant Clinton Ontita wowed judges with his stunning ensemble, featuring a rams skull for his headdress and a hide shield, with an animal skin cape

Contestants wait backstage as they were traditional African jewellery and clothing at the event which was organised by Isaac Mwaura, Kenya's first albino legislator 

Contestants wait backstage as they were traditional African jewellery and clothing at the event which was organised by Isaac Mwaura, Kenya’s first albino legislator 

Albino men stand in line as they rehearse for their show prior to the Mr and Miss Albinism East Africa contest in Nairobi

Albino men stand in line as they rehearse for their show prior to the Mr and Miss Albinism East Africa contest in Nairobi

Kenyan contestant Lucianah Nyawira, 21, wears a traditional costume as she performs in the Mr and Miss Albinism East Africa contest, organised by the Albinism Society of Kenya

Kenyan contestant Lucianah Nyawira, 21, wears a traditional costume as she performs in the Mr and Miss Albinism East Africa contest, organised by the Albinism Society of Kenya

A participant waits backstage in traditional African dress before getting on the catwalk during the Mr and Miss Albinism Kenya Beauty Pageant

A participant waits backstage in traditional African dress before getting on the catwalk during the Mr and Miss Albinism Kenya Beauty Pageant

A group of models wait backstage as they prepare to walk along the stage at the unique beauty pageant in the capital of Nairobi

A group of models wait backstage as they prepare to walk along the stage at the unique beauty pageant in the capital of Nairobi

Kenyan contestant Mary Anne Mungai walks on the runway during the contest last night under a sumptuous lighting arrangement at the venue in Nairobi

Kenyan contestant Mary Anne Mungai walks on the runway during the contest last night under a sumptuous lighting arrangement at the venue in Nairobi

Lucianah Nyawira's intricate traditional jewellery hangs splendidly over her face and neck as she smiles on stage on Friday night 

Lucianah Nyawira’s intricate traditional jewellery hangs splendidly over her face and neck as she smiles on stage on Friday night 

Event organizer Isaac Mwaura, Kenya's first albino legislator, called the pageant a way to build self-esteem: 'People with albinism are people like any other, and for sure we are also beautiful'

Event organizer Isaac Mwaura, Kenya’s first albino legislator, called the pageant a way to build self-esteem: ‘People with albinism are people like any other, and for sure we are also beautiful’

An albino woman adjusts her costume backstage as she and others wait for their fashion show during the event in Nairobi

An albino woman adjusts her costume backstage as she and others wait for their fashion show during the event in Nairobi

Albino men wait backstage in their costumes; hundreds of albino men, women and children participated in the contest to raise awareness on discrimination and stigma against albinism in the region

Albino men wait backstage in their costumes; hundreds of albino men, women and children participated in the contest to raise awareness on discrimination and stigma against albinism in the region

Contestants from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda competed under the theme 'Celebrating the beauty of colour' to raise awareness of their challenges with albinism, including stigma and brutality

Contestants from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda competed under the theme ‘Celebrating the beauty of colour’ to raise awareness of their challenges with albinism, including stigma and brutality

Tanzanian contestant Emmanuel Silas walks on the runway wearing a plaid shawl accompanied by jewellery and his hair tied up in a bun 

Tanzanian contestant Emmanuel Silas walks on the runway wearing a plaid shawl accompanied by jewellery and his hair tied up in a bun 

Ugandan contestant Paul Wakibona poses backstage, looking dapper in a blue velvet dinner jacket and bow tie

Ugandan contestant Paul Wakibona poses backstage, looking dapper in a blue velvet dinner jacket and bow tie

Another participant wore a Western style three-piece suit with a white shirt buttoned up, and no tie

Another participant wore a Western style three-piece suit with a white shirt buttoned up, and no tie

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