Terms

1.0 PREAMBLE

About Miss International Kenya

Miss International Kenya is the official national franchise competition authorised to select Kenya’s representative to the Miss International World Final, held annually in Tokyo, Japan. The competition is organised by The Young People of the Nations International (TYPNI) together referred to in this document as “the Organiser.”

Our Purpose

We created this competition to identify and develop an outstanding Kenyan woman of exceptional character, intelligence and community commitment, someone who will carry Kenya’s name with pride and distinction on the international stage. Our winner serves as a national ambassador, advancing the values of peace, friendship and empowered womanhood championed by the Miss International global movement.

Connection to the Global Organization

TYPNI holds the official franchise license to conduct the Miss International Kenya national competition. The winner of Miss International Kenya 2026 will be submitted to the Miss International Organisation (“the Global Organisation”) as Kenya’s official delegate to the international final. Contestants should be aware that the Global Organisation maintains its own separate rules and requirements for the international competition, which apply in addition to and do not replace these Terms and Conditions.

2.0 YOUR AGREEMENT

By applying, attending any stage of the competition, or accepting a position as a contestant or titleholder, you unconditionally accept and agree to be bound by every provision of this document. This is a legally binding agreement enforceable under the laws of the Republic of Kenya. If you have any questions, we encourage you to seek independent legal advice before submitting your application.

3.0 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Every applicant must satisfy all of the following requirements at the time of application and must maintain them throughout the entire Competition Period. Failing to meet or maintain any requirement may result in disqualification.

3.1 Citizenship and Residency

• You must be a citizen of the Republic of Kenya, holding a valid Kenyan national identity card or a valid Kenyan passport.

• Dual citizens are eligible provided they hold Kenyan citizenship and are prepared to represent Kenya exclusively for all competition purposes.

• You must be ordinarily resident in Kenya at the time of application and throughout the Competition Period.

3.2 Age

• Applicants must be between 18 and 28 years of age as at 1 January 2026.

• Proof of age is mandatory and must be provided by way of a certified copy of a birth certificate, national identity card, or valid passport.

• Applications from persons under the age of 18 will not be considered under any circumstances.

3.3 Gender

• The competition is open exclusively to women who were assigned female at birth, consistent with the eligibility criteria of the Global Organisation.

3.4 Marital Status

• Applicants must be single and never previously married.

• Applicants must not be in a registered civil partnership or customary marriage.

• Applicants who have previously held a nationally recognised beauty title must disclose those titles at the time of application.

3.5 Character and Reputation

• You must be of good moral character and professional standing, consistent with the values of the competition and the Global Organisation.

• Applicants must not have been convicted of any criminal offence, including offences involving dishonesty, fraud, violence, or drug-related crimes.

• Applicants must not be subject to any pending criminal prosecution or investigation at the time of application.

• Any past or ongoing civil litigation that may affect your ability to serve as titleholder must be disclosed.

3.6 Health and Fitness

• Applicants must be in good physical and mental health, capable of meeting the demands of the competition, including travel, public appearances, photoshoots and media engagements.

• Any medical condition, disability, or allergy that may affect participation must be disclosed on the official Medical Disclosure Form.

• The Organiser reserves the right to require a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner confirming fitness to participate.

3.7 Education

• Applicants must hold, at minimum, a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) or an equivalent qualification.

• Current university and college students are welcome and encouraged to apply.

3.8 Language

• Applicants must be proficient in English, which is the official language of communication at the Miss International World Final in Tokyo.

• Proficiency in Kiswahili is valued and encouraged, though not a mandatory requirement.

3.9 Travel and Documentation

• You must hold, or be able to obtain within a reasonable period, a valid Kenyan passport with at least twelve (12) months of validity remaining at the time of the international competition.

• You must be willing and able to apply for and obtain all visas required to travel to and participate in the International Final, including a Japanese visa.

• You must not have any immigration impediment, history of visa refusal, or travel restriction that would prevent lawful travel to Japan.

• The Organiser will provide guidance on visa applications, but the responsibility for obtaining all required travel documents rests entirely with the contestant.

4.0 APPLICATION PROCESS

4.1 How to Apply

All applications must be submitted through the official Miss International Kenya 2026 application channel as publicised by the Organiser. Applications submitted through any other channel will not be considered. Incomplete applications will be disqualified without notice.

4.2 Required Documents

Your application must include all of the following:

• A copy of your Kenyan national identity card or valid Kenyan passport;

• A recent passport-size photographs (taken within the last three months);

• A full-length photograph in formal attire and in swimwear;

• A personal statement of not less than 300 words describing your vision, values, and aspirations;

• A completed Parent or Guardian Consent Form, where the applicant is between 18 and 21 years of age; and

• Any additional documents specified in the official application instructions.

4.3 Application Deadline

Applications must be received by the Organiser by the published closing date. We reserve the right to extend or close the application period at our sole discretion with reasonable notice. Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.

4.4 Verification and Background Checks

All information submitted in your application is subject to verification. The Organiser reserves the right to conduct background checks including criminal record checks, social media audits and reference checks at any stage of the competition. Providing false, misleading, or incomplete information is grounds for immediate disqualification and may result in legal action.

4.5 Right to Reject

The Organiser reserves the absolute right, in its sole discretion and without any obligation to provide reasons, to reject any application that does not meet the eligibility criteria, is incomplete, contains false information, or is otherwise contrary to the values and objectives of the competition.

5.0 SELECTION AND JUDGING

The selection process will include such stages as the Organiser determines appropriate. These may include: preliminary screening of applications, in-person interviews, auditions, talent presentations, cultural activities, intelligence assessments and the national final.

5.1 Public Voting

Where public voting is incorporated into the process, it will form one component of the overall assessment and will not be the sole determinant of any selection decision.

5.2 Judges’ Decisions Are Final

All judging decisions are final and binding. No contestant has the right to appeal any decision made by the judging panel or the Organiser regarding any selection or elimination. There will be no correspondence entered into regarding judging outcomes.

5.3 Organiser’s Discretion

The Organiser reserves the right to modify, suspend or discontinue any stage of the selection process and to disqualify any contestant who, in the Organiser’s reasonable opinion, has engaged in conduct that undermines the integrity of the process.

5.4 Judges

Judges will be selected at the sole discretion of the Organiser. Judges’ individual scores will remain confidential unless the Organiser determines otherwise.

6.0 CONTESTANT OBLIGATIONS

From the moment your application is accepted through to the conclusion of your participation in the competition, you commit to the following obligations. These are not merely guidelines but are legally binding conditions of your participation.

6.1 Attendance and Participation

• You must attend and actively participate in all scheduled training boot camps, workshops, rehearsals, grooming sessions, catwalk training, interview preparation and cultural orientation programmes organised by the Organiser.

• Attendance at all mandatory activities is compulsory. Unexplained absences may result in disqualification.

• You must cooperate fully with all approved stylists, trainers, coaches, choreographers and professional consultants engaged by the Organiser.

• You must participate in community service projects and charitable activities designated by the Organiser. These form an integral part of your ambassadorial preparation.

6.2 Professional Conduct

• You must conduct yourself in a professional, respectful and dignified manner at all competition events, training sessions, public appearances and media engagements.

• You must be punctual for all scheduled activities, rehearsals, fittings and official engagements.

• You must follow all reasonable instructions issued by the Organiser, production team and official staff.

• You must treat all fellow contestants, judges, staff, volunteers, sponsors, partners and members of the public with dignity and respect at all times.

6.3 Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination

Any form of bullying, harassment, intimidation, verbal abuse, physical aggression, or discriminatory conduct onany basis including race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disqualification. Xenophobic, tribalist, or ethnically divisive behaviour is equally prohibited.

6.4 Representation of Kenya

You represent not just yourself, but the Republic of Kenya and her people. At all times, you must carry yourself as a proud and responsible ambassador of this nation, demonstrating knowledge of and respect for Kenyan culture, history, traditions and values and never engaging in conduct that could embarrass or bring disrepute to Kenya.

6.5 Ethical Standards

• You must not offer or accept any bribe, gift, or inducement intended to influence any aspect of the competition.

• You must not engage in any form of cheating, collusion, or manipulation of the competition process.

• Any knowledge of such conduct by others must be reported immediately to the Organiser.

6.6 Confidentiality

You must treat as confidential all information relating to the competition, including judging criteria, deliberations, scores, internal communications and the personal information of fellow contestants. You must not disclose any such information to any third party without the Organiser’s prior written consent. This obligation continues for two (2) years after the conclusion of the Competition Period.

7.0 SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

This policy applies to all contestants throughout the Competition Period and for titleholders, throughout their reign. How you present yourself online is a direct reflection of the competition and of Kenya.

7.1 Content Standards

• You must maintain a positive, respectful and professional presence across all social media platforms.

• You must not post, share or endorse any content that is defamatory, sexually explicit, violent, hateful, politically partisan, religiously inflammatory, or contrary to the values of the competition.

• You must not engage in or facilitate cyberbullying, online harassment or any form of digital intimidation.

• You must not disclose any confidential information about the competition, fellow contestants, judges, staff, or the Organiser on any platform.

7.2 Political and Religious Neutrality

You must maintain strict political neutrality and must not publicly endorse, oppose, or campaign for any political party, candidate, or political position. Similarly, you must not post content that promotes, denigrates, or ridicules any religion, faith tradition, or religious community.

7.3 Commercial Activity

You must not engage in any unauthorised commercial promotion, brand endorsement or paid influencer activity during the Competition Period without the Organiser’s prior written approval.

7.4 Monitoring and Takedown

The Organiser reserves the right to monitor your public social media profiles throughout the Competition Period and you consent to such monitoring by participating. Upon written notice from the Organiser, you must remove any content identified as a breach of this policy within twenty-four (24) hours. Failure to comply constitutes a breach of these Terms and Conditions.

7.5 Official Branding

When posting about the competition, you must tag the official competition social media accounts and use only approved hashtags and branding as directed by the Organiser.

8.0 IMAGE, MEDIA AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

8.1 Licence Granted to the Organiser

By participating in the competition, you irrevocably grant the Organiser and its authorised licensees a worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to use, reproduce, publish, broadcast, stream, distribute, adapt and display your name, likeness, image, voice, photograph, video footage and biography in connection with the competition and all related promotional activities. This licence extends to all media, whether currently known or developed in the future including print, television, radio, online streaming, social media, advertising, documentary film and archival records.

8.2 Ownership of Official Content

The Organiser owns all intellectual property rights in any Official Content produced in connection with the competition, including photographs, videos, marketing materials and branded content featuring contestants. You may not use, reproduce, publish, or commercially exploit any Official Content or the competition’s branding, logos, name or trademarks without the Organiser’s prior written consent.

8.3 No Additional Compensation

No royalty, fee, or additional compensation is payable for the Organiser’s use of your likeness and image under this licence, beyond any agreed participation benefits.

8.4 AI-Generated Content

The Organiser may use artificial intelligence tools to generate, enhance, or adapt content featuring contestants’ likenesses for authorised competition purposes. By participating, you expressly consent to such use.

8.5 Survival of Rights

All rights granted under this section remain in force after the conclusion of the Competition Period and are not affected by any termination of your participation.

8.6 Media and Publicity Release

You grant the Organiser and its authorised media partners the irrevocable right to feature you in interviews, press releases, publications, television broadcasts, radio programmes, social media posts, digital campaigns and documentary productions in connection with the competition. The Organiser may share your profile, photographs and videos with the Global Organisation for international promotion purposes. All media inquiries directed to you personally must be referred to the Organiser’s designated media contact.

9.0 PRIZE AND WINNER OBLIGATIONS

9.1 The Prize

The winner of Miss International Kenya 2026 will receive the following:

• A cash prize of KES 1,000,000 (One Million Kenya Shillings), subject to applicable Kenyan tax laws, deductions and any conditions set out in the National Titleholder Agreement.

• Official support to represent Kenya at the Miss International World Final in Tokyo, Japan, including preparation support, guidance and media exposure.

• The official Miss International Kenya crown, sash, and regalia (held on loan for the duration of the reign).

• A one-year reign as Kenya’s national ambassador, including media, charity, government and corporate engagements as directed by the Organiser.

Note: The cash prize will be disbursed in accordance with the payment schedule specified in the National Titleholder Agreement. Prizes are non-transferable and may not be exchanged for alternative benefits unless otherwise stated in writing by the Organiser.

9.2 Conditions Attached to the Title

Receiving and retaining the title of Miss International Kenya 2026 is conditional upon the titleholder’s continued compliance with all provisions of this document and the National Titleholder Agreement. The title may be revoked in accordance with Section 13 of this document.

9.3 Duties During the Reign

As Miss International Kenya 2026, you will be required to:

• Represent Kenya at the Miss International World Final in Tokyo, Japan, complying with all requirements of the Global Organisation;

• Fulfil all official appearances, media engagements, charitable activities and public duties for a minimum period of one (1) year from the date of crowning;

• Maintain the highest standards of personal conduct, grooming, and professional presentation throughout your reign;

• Actively promote the official causes, charities, and advocacy platforms of the competition;

• Comply with all travel obligations, including obtaining all required travel documents and visas; and

• Maintain and promote the official competition social media accounts as directed.

9.4 First Runner-Up and Second Runner-Up

The First Runner-Up must be available and willing to assume the title and full obligations of Miss International Kenya 2026 in the event the winner is disqualified, withdraws, or is unable to fulfil her duties. The Second Runner-Up must similarly be available to step into the First Runner-Up role if needed. Both must fulfil all official appearances and duties as directed by the Organiser during the Competition Period.

10.0 WITHDRAWAL, SUSPENSION AND DISQUALIFICATION

10.1 Voluntary Withdrawal

A contestant who wishes to withdraw from the competition must notify the Organiser in writing at the earliest opportunity. Where withdrawal occurs after the national final and the title has been awarded, the circumstances and any financial implications will be governed by the National Titleholder Agreement.

10.2 Grounds for Disqualification

The Organiser reserves the right to disqualify any contestant or titleholder, with immediate effect, in any of the following circumstances:

• Providing false, misleading, or fraudulent information at any stage of the competition;

• Failure to meet or maintain any eligibility requirement set out in Section 3;

• Arrest, charge, or conviction of any criminal offence during the Competition Period;

• Material breach of the Code of Conduct in Section 6 or the Social Media Policy in Section 7;

• Unauthorised commercial endorsement, media engagement or sponsorship activity;

• Conduct that, in the Organiser’s reasonable opinion, brings or is likely to bring the competition, the Organiser, Kenya, or the Global Organisation into disrepute;

• Confirmed misuse of illegal drugs or controlled substances;

• Any form of cheating, bribery, or corruption in connection with the competition;

• Failure to fulfil mandatory training, preparation, or appearance obligations without adequate justification;

• Material breach of the National Titleholder Agreement or any other agreement with the Organiser; and

• Any other conduct the Organiser determines to be incompatible with the values and integrity of the competition.

Disqualification will be communicated in writing following an internal review. No refund of entry fees or expenses incurred will be payable upon disqualification resulting from the contestant’s own conduct.

10.3 Title Revocation Process

Where a credible allegation of disqualifying conduct is received against a titleholder, the Organiser will:

1. Initiate an internal investigation and notify the titleholder in writing;

2. Give the titleholder a reasonable opportunity to respond to the allegations — not exceeding seven (7) calendar days from the date of notification;

3. Where warranted, suspend the titleholder from all official duties pending the outcome of the investigation (suspension does not constitute disqualification); and

4. If the investigation concludes that the conduct warrants revocation, issue a written notice of revocation. The decision of the Organiser is final and binding.

Upon revocation, the former titleholder must return the crown, sash, all official regalia, certificates, and any other official material within seventy-two (72) hours of receiving the revocation notice. The Organiser will appoint the First Runner-Up as the new titleholder, or determine succession in its absolute discretion.

11.0 TRAVEL AND INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION

11.1 Travel Documents

All titleholders and delegates required to travel for competition purposes must hold a valid Kenyan passport with a minimum of twelve (12) months’ validity at the time of departure. The winner must apply for and obtain a valid Japanese visa in accordance with the requirements of the Embassy of Japan in Nairobi and the timelines set by the Global Organisation.

11.2 Travel Insurance

All contestants are strongly advised to obtain comprehensive travel insurance covering medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost baggage, and personal liability for all competition-related travel. Adequate medical insurance covering emergency treatment abroad is mandatory for the International Final and must comply with the Global Organisation’s requirements.

11.3 Responsibility

The Organiser will not be responsible for any costs, losses, or consequences arising from a contestant’s failure to obtain adequate travel documents, visas, or insurance. Contestants must comply with all applicable international travel regulations, health requirements, and entry conditions for all competition destinations.

11.4 Conduct Abroad

While representing Kenya internationally, the winner must at all times conduct herself as a dignified national representative. She must comply with all laws of the host country, adhere to the Global Organisation’s protocols and requirements, and maintain the highest standards of personal and professional conduct throughout the international competition.

12.0 LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY

12.1 Assumption of Risk

Participation in this competition including training, rehearsals, travel, public appearances and competition events carries inherent risks. By entering, you acknowledge and voluntarily accept all such risks.

12.2 Limitation of Organiser Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Organiser, its directors, officers, employees, agents, volunteers, sponsors, and partners are released from any and all claims, damages, losses, costs and expenses arising out of or in connection with your participation in the competition except to the extent caused by the Organiser’s own gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

12.3 Emergency Medical Consent

You irrevocably consent to the administration of emergency medical treatment by qualified medical practitioners in the event of a medical emergency during the Competition Period, including during competition-related travel.

12.4 Non-Disparagement

During the Competition Period and for two (2) years following its conclusion, you undertake not to make, publish, or cause to be published any disparaging, defamatory, or derogatory statement about the Organiser, the competition, the Global Organisation, any sponsor, any judge, any staff member, any volunteer, any fellow contestant, or any titleholder in any form, verbal or written, on any platform. Breach of this clause entitles the Organiser to pursue all available legal remedies, including urgent injunctive relief.

13.0 PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION

The Organiser is committed to handling your personal information with respect, transparency, and in full compliance with the Kenya Data Protection Act, 2019, and applicable international data protection standards.

13.1 What We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal information: full name, date of birth, national identification details, passport details, contact information, photographs, video footage, health information, educational records and social media profiles.

13.2 Why We Use It

Your personal data will be processed for the purposes of administering the competition, verifying eligibility, conducting background checks, fulfilling media and promotional obligations, and complying with our legal requirements.

13.3 Who We Share It With

We may share your personal data with the Global Organisation, official sponsors, media partners, government agencies, and other authorised third parties but only to the extent necessary for competition purposes and subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations.

13.4 Your Rights

You have the right to access, correct and where applicable request deletion of your personal data, subject to our legitimate operational requirements and applicable legal obligations. To exercise these rights, please contact the Organiser in writing.

13.5 Retention

We will retain your personal data for five (5) years after the conclusion of the Competition Period, or for such longer period as may be required by applicable law.

By submitting your application, you expressly consent to the collection and processing of your personal information for all purposes stated in this section.

14.0 AMENDMENTS AND ORGANISER RIGHTS

14.1 Right to Amend

The Organiser reserves the right to amend, modify, supplement or replace these Terms and Conditions at any time. Any changes will take effect upon publication on the official competition website or direct communication to contestants through official channels.

14.2 Notice and Acceptance

Contestants will be notified of any material amendments and will be deemed to have accepted such changes by continuing to participate in the competition. If you object to a material amendment, you may withdraw from the competition within seven (7) days of notification without penalty.

14.3 Operational Changes

The Organiser reserves the right to modify competition schedules, venues, programme structures, prize arrangements and event formats as may be necessary including in response to unforeseen circumstances. Such changes will be communicated to contestants with as much advance notice as is reasonably practicable.

14.4 Force Majeure

The Organiser will not be liable for any delay, cancellation, postponement, or failure to perform its obligations arising from circumstances beyond its reasonable control including acts of God, pandemics, natural disasters, civil unrest, war, terrorism, government restrictions, or international travel bans. In any such event, the Organiser will notify contestants as soon as reasonably practicable and will take all reasonable steps to reschedule or adapt the affected activities. Contestants will not be entitled to compensation or damages arising from a force majeure event, except in respect of entry fees as provided in Section 15.

15. 0 FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

15.1 Entry Fees

There are no entry fees for participation in Miss International Kenya 2026. Application, registration and participation in the competition are entirely free of charge. Contestants are not required to make any payment to enter or compete in the pageant. Any official costs, requirements or optional activities, if applicable, will be communicated separately by the Organiser through official channels.

15.2 Prize Disbursement

All prizes, scholarships, and awards will be disbursed in accordance with the payment schedule published by the Organiser. Prizes are non-transferable and may not be exchanged for cash unless otherwise specified in writing.

15.3 Tax Obligations

Each contestant is solely responsible for any tax liability arising from prizes, awards, or any other financial benefit received in connection with the competition. The Organiser will not be responsible for any contestant’s personal tax obligations.

15.4 Transparency

The Organiser is committed to maintaining transparent and accountable financial management of competition funds, in accordance with applicable accounting standards and legal requirements.

16.0 GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

16.1 Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions and any dispute arising under them, are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Kenya.

16.2 Internal Grievance Procedure

Any contestant with a grievance relating to these Terms and Conditions or the administration of the competition must first submit it in writing to the designated Organiser representative within fourteen (14) days of the matter giving rise to the grievance. The Organiser will respond in writing within fourteen (14) days of receipt.

16.3 Mediation

If the grievance is not resolved through the internal procedure, either party may request mediation. Mediation will be conducted in Nairobi, Kenya, by a mutually agreed mediator and the costs will be shared equally between the parties.

16.4 Arbitration

If mediation fails to resolve the dispute within thirty (30) days, the matter will be referred to and finally resolved by binding arbitration under the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA) Rules. The arbitration will be conducted in English, the seat will be Nairobi, and the award will be final and binding on all parties.

16.5 Jurisdiction

Subject to the arbitration provisions above, the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Republic of Kenya for any matters not subject to arbitration.

16.6 Conflict of Interest

All judges, staff, and officials involved in the competition must declare any actual or potential conflict of interest to the Organiser before their involvement. Any undisclosed conflict will disqualify the relevant individual from any related decision-making. Contestants must similarly disclose any personal, familial, or commercial relationship with any judge, staff member, sponsor, or official connected to the competition. Sponsors must not directly or indirectly attempt to influence the judging or selection process; any such attempt will constitute a material breach of their agreement with the Organiser.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

By submitting your application for Miss International Kenya 2026, you acknowledge and confirm the following:

• You have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions in their entirety.

• You confirm that all information provided in my application is true, accurate, and complete.

• You meet all eligibility requirements set out in Section 3 and undertake to maintain them throughout the Competition Period.

• You grant the Organiser the rights set out in Sections 8 and 14 in respect of my likeness, image, and personal data.

• You understand that a breach of these Terms and Conditions may result in my disqualification and/or legal action.

• You have had the opportunity to seek independent legal advice before accepting this agreement.

Terms & Conditions

Terms