Kenya hosts world's first albino beauty pageant hosted by Kenya

So some weeks back, contestants in Nairobi aimed at fighting back against persecution in east Africa, where albino body parts are sold on black market. With its evening gowns, celebrity judges and tears of joy, this beauty pageant in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, was like many others – except for one thing: all 20 contestants had albinism. Titled Beauty Beyond Skin, the world’s first albino pageant was designed to celebrate people who lack pigment in their skin, hair and eyes, and to fight the widespread persecution of albinos in east Africa . Ten women and 10 men modelled the latest fashions at the event as they competed for the title of Mr and Miss Albinism Kenya in front of a crowd of about 1,000 people. The contestants used the occasion to petition the government to better recognise and respect their condition. Some dressed up as army officers, waiters and police officers to highlight that albinos belong in every part of society. But the event was also about fashion: some ...