Matukio : Kenya hold first Mr & Miss albinism pageant

The Kenyan Albinism Society organised the country's first Mr and Miss albinism pageant pageant as part of its tenth anniversary celebrations and in a bid to show the beauty in persons living with albinism as well as to do away with stigma associated with the medical condition.

 "There are beautiful albinos who feel good about themselves,” an organiser and also the first Kenyan MP with albinism, Isaac Mwaura, said.

The contestants walked the catwalk in different professional outfits to show that they too can be part of the workforce. Jairus Jzay and Loise Lihanda were crowned winners of the contest.

In several countries in southern and eastern Africa, such as Tanzania, Malawi, Burundi and Mozambique, persons with albinism are subjected to numerous attacks. Some even seek their limbs and other parts of their bodies for rituals believed to bring wealth and luck. This type of attack is however rare in Kenya.