Terms and Conditions of Use and Course Participation

In these Terms:

“Account”

a user account created to access the Platform or its Services.

“Content”

any course, lesson, video, audio recording, text, devotional, study guide, presentation, image, graphic, worksheet, discussion material, quiz, resource, communication or other material made available through the Platform.

“Course”

any programme, course, class, seminar, devotional, Bible study, workshop, learning series or other educational offering available through the Platform.

“Instructor”

a teacher, facilitator, speaker, pastor, ministry representative, contributor, course creator or other person providing Content through the Platform.

“Services”

the Courses, Content, website, WhatsApp course-delivery service, communications and other functionality provided through or in connection with the Platform.

“User”, “you” or “your”

any person who visits, registers with, enrols in, accesses or uses the Platform.

“WhatsApp Services”

the optional delivery of Courses, Content, notices, reminders or other Platform communications through WhatsApp.

2.1The Platform curates, develops, hosts and/or facilitates free courses and educational content from various Instructors, churches, ministries, organisations and other contributors.

2.2Courses may be:

1. self-paced or instructor-led;
2. live or pre-recorded;
3. delivered entirely through the website;
4. delivered through WhatsApp;
5. delivered through a combination of the website, WhatsApp and other approved channels; or
6. subject to additional course-specific terms communicated before enrolment.

2.3The availability, format, duration, schedule and content of each Course may differ.

2.4Inclusion of a particular Instructor, church, ministry, contributor or resource on the Platform does not necessarily mean that we endorse every statement, theological position, doctrine, publication or opinion expressed by that person or organisation.

3.1These Terms constitute a binding agreement between you and the Platform Operator, Alpha Kenya.

3.2Before completing registration or purchasing a Course, you will be given an opportunity to:

1. review these Terms;
2. accept or decline them; and
3. review and correct information entered during registration.

3.3A current copy of these Terms will be made reasonably accessible through the Platform.

3.4Where applicable, your statutory rights under Kenyan consumer protection law, including rights applicable to internet or remote agreements, are not excluded by these Terms.

4.1Unless a Course is expressly stated to be intended for children or young persons, users should be at least eighteen (18) years old or otherwise legally capable of entering into a binding agreement.

4.2A person under eighteen may only access a Course where:

1. the Course expressly permits participation by minors; and
2. any consent or authorisation required from a parent or legal guardian has been obtained.

4.3Where the Platform provides Courses specifically intended for children or young persons, additional safeguarding, parental consent or participation requirements may apply.

4.4We reserve the right to request reasonable confirmation of age, parental authority or consent where necessary.

5.1Access to the Courses requires registration.

5.2During registration, we may request information including:

1. your name;
2. email address;
3. church, congregation or place of worship;
4. information relevant to your Course registration; and
5. where you elect to use the WhatsApp Services, your mobile telephone number.

5.3You agree to provide accurate, current and complete information.

5.4You must update information where necessary to ensure that it remains accurate.

5.5You must not:

1. impersonate another person;
2. register using information belonging to another person without authority;
3. create an Account for fraudulent or unlawful purposes; or
4. knowingly provide false or misleading registration information.

5.6The collection and processing of personal information is governed by our separate Privacy Policy.

5.7Where information concerning your church or place of worship may reveal or imply religious affiliation or belief, such information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable data protection law.

6.1You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your Account credentials.

6.2You must not permit another person to use your Account to obtain access to Courses or Content unless the Course expressly permits shared access.

6.3You must promptly notify us at support@alpha.ke if:

1. you believe your Account has been accessed without authority;
2. your password or login credentials have been compromised; or
3. you become aware of any security issue affecting your Account.

6.4We may temporarily restrict an Account where we reasonably believe this is necessary to protect the Account, other users or the Platform.

7.1Use of WhatsApp is optional unless a particular Course is expressly offered only through that channel.

7.2Where you elect to receive a Course through WhatsApp, you authorise us to use the mobile telephone number supplied by you to provide:

1. Course Content;
2. Course instructions;
3. schedules and reminders;
4. administrative communications;
5. changes relating to a Course; and
6. other communications reasonably necessary to provide the Service.

7.3Promotional or marketing messages will be handled separately and, where required by law, will only be sent where the appropriate permission has been obtained.

7.4You may request to stop receiving Course communications through WhatsApp by following the applicable opt-out mechanism or contacting us at info@alpha.ke or +254 115 831 719.

7.5Where technically available, you may request to continue accessing the Course through the website instead.

7.6WhatsApp is a service provided by a third party. Your use of WhatsApp is additionally subject to the terms, policies and technical requirements imposed by WhatsApp and its operator.

7.7We do not own or control WhatsApp and cannot guarantee its continuous availability, security or functionality.

7.8Where a Course uses a WhatsApp group or community, you acknowledge that certain information associated with your WhatsApp account — including your telephone number, display name or profile information — may be visible to other members depending on WhatsApp’s functionality and your own privacy settings.

7.9Where reasonably practicable, we may use one-to-one messaging, broadcast functionality or other methods intended to limit unnecessary disclosure of participants’ information.

8.1The Platform contains educational and faith-based Content intended to facilitate learning, reflection, spiritual formation and discussion.

8.2Religious interpretation may differ between denominations, churches, ministries, scholars and individual believers.

8.3Unless expressly stated otherwise, Content represents the views of the relevant author, Instructor or contributor and should not be assumed to represent:

1. the official doctrine of your church;
2. the views of every church or denomination;
3. the views of every Instructor available through the Platform; or
4. the position of any church, religious institution or ministry with which you may be affiliated.

8.4The Platform does not require users to agree with every theological or religious view expressed in a Course.

8.5Users are encouraged to engage respectfully with differing interpretations and perspectives.

9.1Unless expressly stated otherwise, Content is provided for general educational and informational purposes.

9.2Participation in the Platform does not create a pastor–parishioner, counsellor–client, doctor–patient, lawyer–client, financial adviser–client or other professional advisory relationship.

9.3The Platform is not intended to replace:

1. pastoral counselling;
2. professional mental-health care;
3. medical treatment;
4. legal advice;
5. financial advice; or
6. any other regulated professional service.

9.4Where a person requires professional assistance, they should seek assistance from an appropriately qualified professional.

9.5We do not guarantee any particular spiritual, personal, educational, professional, financial or other result from completing a Course.

10.1We may reasonably update or modify Course Content in order to:

1. improve quality;
2. correct errors;
3. update materials;
4. replace or supplement resources;
5. address legal or intellectual property concerns; or
6. accommodate Instructor availability.

10.2We may reschedule or substitute an Instructor where reasonably necessary.

10.3Where a material change substantially affects a paid Course, we will take reasonable steps to provide an appropriate remedy, which may include alternative access, a course credit or refund where required by applicable law.

11.1We may issue certificates of attendance, participation or completion for certain Courses.

11.2Unless expressly stated otherwise, a certificate issued through the Platform:

1. confirms only participation or completion;
2. is not an academic degree, diploma or professional qualification;
3. does not confer professional licensing or accreditation; and
4. should not be represented otherwise by the User.

11.3Where a Course is formally accredited, the applicable accreditation details will be separately stated.

12.1 Ownership

All intellectual property rights in and relating to the Platform, the Services and all Content made available through the Platform are owned by, vested in, or exclusively controlled by Alpha Kenya Trust (“the Company”), except where the Company expressly states otherwise in writing. Such intellectual property includes, without limitation:

1. Courses and course materials;
2. curricula, course structures, teaching methodologies and programme formats;
3. written materials, notes, manuals, study guides, worksheets and assessments;
4. presentations and slide decks;
5. video and audio content;
6. sermons, teachings, lectures and recordings made available through the Platform;
7. photographs, illustrations, graphics and other visual materials;
8. logos, trademarks, trade names and branding;
9. website design, layout and functionality;
10. databases and compilations;
11. software and technological components of the Platform; and
12. all adaptations, updates, modifications and other materials created or commissioned by the Company in connection with the Platform.

A User wishing to reproduce or otherwise use Content beyond the licence granted below should contact legal@alpha.ke.

12.2 Limited licence to users

Subject to compliance with these Terms and payment of any applicable fees, the Company grants each User a limited, personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable and revocable licence to access and use the Content solely for the User’s own private and non-commercial learning purposes.

No ownership or intellectual property rights are transferred to a User by virtue of registration, enrolment, payment for a Course or access to the Platform.

12.3 No unauthorised recording

Users shall not, without the Company’s prior written consent:

1. audio-record or video-record any Course, lesson, lecture, webinar, discussion, teaching session or other Content;
2. photograph, screen-record, screen-capture or otherwise reproduce Content, except where functionality expressly provided by the Platform permits limited downloading or access;
3. record live or virtual sessions, including sessions conducted through WhatsApp, video-conferencing platforms or any other communication channel; or
4. permit or facilitate any other person to make an unauthorised recording or reproduction of the Content.

12.4 Prohibition on derivative works

Users shall not create, commission, facilitate or distribute any derivative work based upon the Content without the Company’s prior written consent. Derivative works include, without limitation:

1. adaptations or modified versions of Courses or course materials;
2. summaries, compilations or teaching materials substantially derived from the Content for commercial, public or institutional use;
3. translations;
4. abridgements;
5. course manuals or training programmes based substantially on the Company’s Content;
6. edited, remixed or reformatted audio or video materials;
7. presentations, publications or digital products derived substantially from the Content; or
8. any other work that reproduces, adapts, transforms or substantially incorporates the Company’s Content.

12.5 Prohibited use

Except with the Company’s prior written consent, Users shall not:

1. reproduce, copy, republish or distribute any Content;
2. upload Content to another website, application, learning-management system, social-media platform, messaging service or digital platform;
3. forward, share or distribute Course materials to persons who are not authorised Users;
4. sell, licence, sublicense, rent, commercially exploit or otherwise monetise the Content;
5. publicly display, perform or communicate the Content;
6. use the Content to establish, develop or operate another course, training programme, ministry programme, educational service or competing platform;
7. remove, alter or obscure copyright notices, trademarks, watermarks, attribution notices or other proprietary markings;
8. circumvent technological measures used to restrict access to, downloading of or reproduction of Content;
9. scrape, systematically download, extract, harvest or compile Content from the Platform; or
10. assist another person to undertake any prohibited activity.

12.6 Artificial intelligence and machine learning

Unless expressly authorised in writing by the Company, Users shall not use the Content, whether in whole or in part:

1. to train, fine-tune, test or develop any artificial intelligence, machine-learning or automated system;
2. as an input into generative artificial intelligence systems for the purpose of creating substantially similar or derivative educational or commercial content;
3. to create datasets, databases or training corpora; or
4. to develop competing products, services, Courses or Content.

12.7 Permitted personal use

Where the Platform expressly permits downloading of particular materials, such materials may only be downloaded and retained for the User’s own personal, private and non-commercial learning purposes. Permission to download material does not constitute permission to reproduce, distribute, publish, adapt, modify, sell or create derivative works from that material.

12.8 Third-party intellectual property

Where the Platform contains material licensed to the Company by a third party, such material remains protected by applicable intellectual property rights and shall be subject to the same restrictions under these Terms unless expressly stated otherwise.

12.9 Unauthorised use

Any unauthorised copying, recording, reproduction, adaptation, creation of derivative works, distribution, communication, publication, sale or other exploitation of the Content constitutes a material breach of these Terms and may also constitute an infringement of intellectual property rights. Upon becoming aware of actual or suspected infringement, the Company may, without prejudice to any other rights or remedies available to it:

1. immediately suspend or terminate the User’s access to the Platform;
2. require removal, deletion or destruction of infringing copies or materials;
3. issue takedown or cease-and-desist notices;
4. seek injunctive or other appropriate relief;
5. pursue compensation, damages, an account of profits and/or other remedies available under applicable law; and
6. recover legal costs and other enforcement expenses to the extent permitted by law.

12.10 Reporting intellectual property infringement

The Company reserves all rights in its intellectual property that are not expressly granted under these Terms.

13.1Courses may incorporate or refer to material owned by third parties.

13.2Third-party material remains subject to the rights and licence terms applicable to that material.

13.3A reference or link to a third-party resource does not necessarily constitute endorsement of everything published by that third party.

14.1Some Courses may permit users to submit comments, questions, assignments, testimonies, discussion posts, feedback or other material (“User Contributions”).

14.2You retain ownership of intellectual property that you own in your User Contributions.

14.3You grant us a non-exclusive licence to host, reproduce, display and technically process your User Contribution to the extent reasonably necessary to provide, administer and moderate the relevant Service.

14.4We will not use a testimonial, photograph, recording or identifiable contribution for advertising or promotional purposes merely because it was submitted as part of a Course, unless the necessary permission has been obtained.

14.5You must ensure that anything you submit:

1. belongs to you or you have permission to use it;
2. does not infringe another person’s intellectual property;
3. does not unlawfully disclose another person’s personal information; and
4. complies with these Terms.

15.1Users must engage with other participants, Instructors and staff respectfully.

15.2You must not use the Platform to:

1. threaten, bully, abuse, intimidate or harass another person;
2. promote hatred or unlawful discrimination;
3. deliberately disrupt a Course or discussion;
4. impersonate another person;
5. distribute spam or unsolicited commercial messages;
6. solicit participants for unrelated commercial purposes;
7. distribute malware or malicious code;
8. obtain another person’s personal information without authority;
9. publish defamatory or unlawful material;
10. infringe intellectual property rights;
11. interfere with the security or operation of the Platform; or
12. engage in unlawful conduct.

15.4We may moderate discussions and remove material that we reasonably consider inconsistent with these Terms.

16.1Users should exercise care when sharing personal information in discussion forums, live sessions or WhatsApp groups.

16.2You should not post confidential information, sensitive personal information or information relating to another person unless it is necessary and you have a lawful basis or appropriate permission to do so.

16.3Personal stories, prayer requests or experiences shared by another participant must not be recorded, copied, published or distributed outside the relevant Course without that person’s permission.

17.1We encourage users to notify us promptly where they believe Content is:

1. factually inaccurate;
2. misleading;
3. inappropriate;
4. unlawfully discriminatory;
5. defamatory;
6. infringing intellectual property rights;
7. unlawfully using personal information;
8. contrary to our safeguarding standards;
9. technically defective;
10. attributed to the wrong author or source; or
11. otherwise requiring review.

17.2A Content concern may be reported through:

17.3A report should, where possible, include:

1. the reporter’s name and contact details;
2. the Course and lesson concerned;
3. a URL, screenshot or description identifying the Content;
4. the nature of the concern;
5. supporting information; and
6. the action requested.

17.4We may contact the reporter for additional information.

17.5We may, where appropriate:

1. correct the Content;
2. add clarification or attribution;
3. temporarily restrict access while reviewing the matter;
4. remove Content;
5. consult the Instructor or rights-holder;
6. reject a complaint that is unsupported or does not establish a breach; or
7. take any other reasonable action.

17.6A disagreement with a particular religious interpretation does not automatically require removal of Content. We retain reasonable editorial discretion while respecting applicable law and the stated purpose of the Platform.

18.2We may refer a matter to an appropriate authority where reporting is required by law or reasonably necessary for the protection of a person.

19.1We endeavour to maintain reliable access to the Platform but cannot guarantee uninterrupted availability.

19.2Access may occasionally be affected by:

1. maintenance;
2. internet or telecommunications failures;
3. hosting failures;
4. third-party service interruptions;
5. security incidents; or
6. events outside our reasonable control.

19.3We may temporarily suspend access where reasonably necessary for maintenance, security or legal compliance.

20.1The Platform may contain links or integrations with third-party websites and services. We are not responsible for the content, availability, security, terms or privacy practices of third parties that we do not control.

21.1Our collection and use of personal data is governed by our separate Privacy Policy.

21.2The Privacy Policy explains, among other matters:

1. the personal data we collect;
2. why we collect it;
3. how it is used;
4. the applicable legal bases for processing;
5. handling of church or religious-affiliation information;
6. use of telephone numbers for WhatsApp delivery;
7. disclosure to service providers;
8. international transfers where applicable;
9. retention periods;
10. marketing communications; and
11. rights available to data subjects.

21.3Where consent is required as a lawful basis for a particular form of processing, we will seek the appropriate consent separately rather than treating acceptance of these Terms as consent for all processing activities.

22.1We may suspend or terminate access where a User:

1. materially breaches these Terms;
2. shares Content outside this Platform without permission;
3. engages in abusive or unlawful conduct;
4. compromises Platform security; or
5. infringes intellectual property rights.

22.2Where appropriate, we may issue a warning before suspension or termination.

22.3We may act immediately where reasonably necessary to protect users, children, Platform security, intellectual property or to comply with law.

22.4A User may discontinue use of the Platform at any time.

22.5Account deletion and personal data retention following termination are addressed in the Privacy Policy.

23.1We will exercise reasonable care in curating and providing the Platform and its Services.

23.2However, to the extent permitted by law, we do not warrant that:

1. every Course will meet every User’s personal expectations;
2. every theological interpretation will correspond with the User’s own church or denomination;
3. all third-party resources will remain continuously available; or
4. participation will produce a particular outcome.

23.3Nothing in these Terms excludes any warranty, duty or consumer protection that cannot lawfully be excluded.

24.1To the maximum extent permitted by law, we will not be liable for indirect, incidental or consequential loss arising solely from use of the Platform where such loss was not reasonably foreseeable.

24.2Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes liability that cannot lawfully be limited or excluded, including liability arising from fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation or any other liability which applicable law prohibits us from excluding.

24.3Users remain responsible for decisions they make based on general educational or religious Content.

To the extent permitted by law, you agree to be responsible for loss or liability reasonably arising from your:

1. unlawful use of the Platform;
2. infringement of another person’s intellectual property rights;
3. unauthorised use or disclosure of another person’s personal information; or
4. material breach of these Terms.

This clause does not require you to indemnify us for loss caused by our own unlawful conduct.

26.1By registering, you agree that we may send transactional and administrative communications reasonably necessary to operate your Account or provide a Course.

26.2These may include:

1. enrolment confirmations;
2. login or security notices;
3. Course reminders;
4. schedule changes;
5. assessment or completion notices; and
6. important changes to the Platform or these Terms.

26.3Marketing communications will be separately managed and may be opted out of using the mechanism provided in the relevant communication.

Where you voluntarily provide ideas, suggestions or feedback about the Platform, we may use that feedback to improve the Services, provided that doing so does not transfer ownership of unrelated intellectual property belonging to you.

28.1We may amend these Terms from time to time to reflect:

1. changes to the Services;
2. changes in law;
3. security requirements;
4. new Platform functionality; or
5. operational requirements.

28.2Where changes are material, we will take reasonable steps to notify registered Users, either via email or WhatsApp or both.

28.3Material changes will take effect prospectively from the date stated in the updated Terms.

28.4Where required, we may request that you affirmatively accept updated Terms before continuing to use particular Services.

We will not be responsible for a delay or failure to perform an obligation where the delay or failure is caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including significant telecommunications outages, natural disasters, governmental restrictions, civil emergencies, widespread technical failures or similar events.

These Terms are governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Kenya. Nothing in these Terms deprives a consumer of any mandatory right or protection available under applicable law.

31.1We encourage Users to first raise complaints directly with us:

31.2We will endeavour to address complaints fairly and within a reasonable period.

31.3Where a dispute cannot be resolved directly, the parties may explore mediation or another mutually agreed alternative dispute-resolution process.

31.4Where no settlement is reached, either party may pursue available remedies before a court or other body having jurisdiction in Kenya.

31.5Nothing in this clause prevents a User from referring a matter to a competent statutory or regulatory authority where applicable.

32.1 Entire agreement

These Terms, together with any applicable Course-specific terms, the Privacy Policy and any other expressly incorporated policy, constitute the agreement governing your use of the Services.

32.2 Severability

If any provision is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in effect to the extent permitted by law.

32.3 Waiver

Failure to enforce a provision on one occasion does not constitute a waiver of that provision.

32.4 Assignment

You may not transfer your Account or rights under these Terms to another person without our permission. We may transfer our rights and obligations as part of a lawful restructuring, merger, sale or transfer of the Platform, subject to applicable law.

32.5 No partnership or agency

Use of the Platform does not create a partnership, employment, agency, joint venture or similar relationship between a User and the Platform Operator.

32.6 Headings

Section headings are included for convenience and do not affect interpretation.

Questions about these Terms or the Platform may be sent to Alpha Kenya Trust, P.O. Box 3004–00502, Nairobi, Kenya — Bible Translation & Literacy Centre, Gate No. 7, Masaba Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi.