In a beauty pageant themed “Beauty Beyond The Skin”, the Albinism Society of Kenya (ASK) held the first ever Mr and Mrs Albinism on Friday October 22, 2016, in an attempt to boost confidence and fight stigma associated with Albinism.
The event held at the Carnivore grounds was graced by the Deputy President, William Ruto as the chief guest with 20-year-old Jarius Ong’etta and 20-year-old Loise Lihanda, being crowned Mr. and Miss Albinism respectively.
Money raised through the event, will go towards the support of other initiatives that the ASK administers such as Imarisha Masomo, Miwani Mashinani, Linda Ngozi, Cancer treatment and counseling services. Majorly, the funds will be used to procure sunscreen lotion retailing at Kshs 2000 per bottle which assist in the prevention of skin cancer.
Deputy President William Ruto with nominated MP Isaac Mwaura share a light moment Elsie Mutheu aged 3 during the first ever Mr and Miss Albinism Kenya
According to the event’s organizers, “Mr. and Miss Albinism is a charity event that showcases the beauty and talent of persons with albinism…through this initiative, we aim to promote self-awareness of PWAs in the society essentially to stop vices like discrimination and stigmatization.”
The key choreographers, Mr. World Kenya Embu County, Morris Njue and Michael Lucian expressed their satisfaction in how the 20 models drawn from the 47 counties carried themselves during the event. “The models were trained over a period of three days on how to walk, and exude confidence on the runway,” said Morris.
The contestants competed in five different categories. In the professional category, the contestants dressed up in their chosen profession, from fishermen, cook, and even soldier to imply that they too can be part of the workforce.
In the creative category Jairus wowed the audience when he took to the runway dressed in a black, floor-length hooded gown, bound in chains. before eventually breaking of the chains with the gown falling to the floor to reveal the model dressed in all white. A dove was set free in the process to signify that he was free.
Missing in action was singer Nonini who has been very vocal towards the Albinisim cause under his ‘Colour Kwa Face’ initiative.’
