Kenyan and Wildlife photographer, Clement Kiragu was barred from participating in this year’s National Geographic’s (NatGeo) Travel Photographer of the Year Competition because he was from Kenya.
The talented professional took to his social media to pour out his frustration forcing a reaction from NatGeo who blamed ‘legal and financial restraints in running the contest in some foreign countries.’
A quick check into the rules of the competition confirmed that the competition was focused on entries from United States.
“WHO MAY ENTER
Contest is open only to individuals who have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence at the time of entry and who reside in the United States, including all its territories and the District of Columbia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada (excluding Quebec), Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Officers, directors and employees of National Geographic Partners, and its subsidiaries and affiliates (all such individuals and entities collectively referred to herein as the “Promotion Entities”), and their respective immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they live) or persons living in the same households of such employees, whether or not related are not eligible to enter the Contest or win a prize. CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.”