Terms of Service

6. Payment Processing and Financial Terms

6.1 Payment Methods and Processing

TUKONNECT accepts multiple payment methods including M-Pesa, credit cards, debit cards, and other digital payment systems. All payments are processed securely through PCI-DSS compliant payment processors. By making a payment, you authorize TUKONNECT to charge your selected payment method for the purchase price and any applicable fees.

6.2 Pricing and Fees

Pricing for events and accommodations is set by event organizers and BnB hosts. TUKONNECT charges service fees and transaction fees as follows:

• Ticket Transactions: Service commission of [X]% of ticket price plus payment processing fees
• BnB Bookings: Service commission of [Y]% of nightly rate plus payment processing fees
• Voting Transactions: Variable fees depending on vote type (free votes or paid premium votes)

All fees are disclosed prior to purchase confirmation. By completing a purchase, you agree to pay all applicable fees in addition to the base price.

6.3 Currency and Taxes

All prices are displayed in Kenyan Shillings (KES) unless otherwise stated. You are responsible for any applicable taxes, duties, or additional charges imposed by your government or financial institution. TUKONNECT will not reimburse taxes or fees you incur.

6.4 Billing and Payment Authorization

You authorize TUKONNECT and our payment processors to charge your payment method immediately upon purchase. Payment authorizations remain valid until you revoke them or your payment method is updated. If a payment fails, we may retry the charge up to 3 times before suspending your transaction.

6.5 No Refunds for Failed Payments

If payment fails due to insufficient funds, incorrect information, or issues with your payment method, we will not process your order. TUKONNECT is not responsible for payment failures or the timing of failed payment attempts.

7. Event Ticketing Terms

7.1 Ticket Accuracy and Information

Event organizers are responsible for providing accurate event information including date, time, venue, ticket types, pricing, and seat assignments (if applicable). TUKONNECT relies on organizer-provided information and is not responsible for inaccurate event listings. You acknowledge that event details may be subject to change at the organizer's discretion.

7.2 Ticket Inventory and Availability

Ticket availability is subject to real-time inventory. While we attempt to provide accurate availability, we do not guarantee specific inventory levels. If an event sells out or becomes unavailable, your purchase will be cancelled and full refund processed. We are not responsible for failed purchases due to high demand or technical limitations.

7.3 Event Cancellations and Postponements

Event organizers may cancel or postpone events at their discretion. In case of cancellation, all ticket purchasers are entitled to:

• Full refund of ticket costs to the original payment method within 10 business days
• Alternatively, tickets may be transferred to a rescheduled date (if applicable)
• Notification of cancellation via email within 24 hours of the decision

Event organizers are not responsible for unavoidable circumstances (acts of God, natural disasters, government prohibitions) that prevent event execution. In such cases, organizers must provide full refunds or alternate arrangements.

7.4 Entry Requirements and Identification

Event organizers may require valid identification for entry verification. You agree to present valid identification upon request at event entry. Event organizers may refuse entry to individuals without proper identification or whose identity does not match the ticket holder's name.

7.5 No Entry Guarantees

While a valid ticket grants rights to entry, event organizers reserve the right to refuse entry for safety, security, or conduct violations. Refunds are not provided for entry refusal due to user conduct, safety concerns, or organizer discretion.

8. Awards, Voting, and Talent Competitions

8.1 Voting Mechanics and Eligibility

Users can participate in voting for nominated contestants, artists, and talents through our awards voting system. Voting eligibility is based on:

• Valid account in good standing (no violations or suspensions)
• Verified email address and phone number
• Minimum age requirement of 13 years
• Compliance with voting rules and anti-fraud measures

8.2 Vote Limitations

Each user is limited to one vote per contestant per voting period. Multiple votes for the same contestant or attempt to circumvent vote limits through multiple accounts will result in vote invalidation and potential account suspension. Votes cannot be transferred between users or traded.

8.3 Voting Fraud Prevention

TUKONNECT employs sophisticated systems to detect and prevent voting fraud, including:

• Monitoring for suspicious voting patterns and anomalies
• Detecting coordinated vote manipulation and bot voting
• Analyzing IP addresses, device information, and behavior patterns
• Verifying user identity and account authenticity
• Implementing rate limiting and flood protection

Any detected voting fraud will result in vote invalidation, account suspension, and potential legal action. Participants in voting fraud may be permanently banned from the Platform and reported to authorities.

8.4 Results Finality and Transparency

Vote results are final once the voting period concludes. Winners are determined by the highest number of verified votes cast through the Platform. Vote tallies and results are published publicly to ensure transparency. We do not provide recounts or result modifications after voting concludes, except in cases of verified fraud.

8.5 Prize Distribution (if applicable)

If voting determines prize winners, prize distribution is the responsibility of event organizers and competition sponsors. TUKONNECT facilitates voting but does not guarantee prize fulfillment. Any disputes regarding prizes should be directed to the event organizer.

9. Bed & Breakfast (BnB) Marketplace Terms

9.1 Host Responsibilities and Listing Accuracy

BnB hosts agree to provide accurate, complete, and truthful listings including:

• Accurate property descriptions and photographs
• Truthful disclosure of amenities and facilities
• Accurate pricing and availability calendars
• Clear house rules and check-in/check-out procedures
• Any restrictions or special requirements

Hosts are liable for any misleading or fraudulent listings. TUKONNECT reserves the right to remove listings that violate these requirements.

9.2 Guest Rights and Booking Terms

When booking a BnB through the Platform, you are entering into a direct contract with the property host. Your rights include:

• Right to occupancy of the booked property during the specified dates
• Right to use amenities as described in the listing
• Right to cancel according to the host's stated cancellation policy
• Right to leave reviews and ratings after your stay
• Right to report violations or unsafe conditions

9.3 Cancellation Policies

Each host sets their own cancellation policy, which is displayed at time of booking. Policies include:

• Flexible: Full refund if cancelled 7 days before check-in
• Moderate: Full refund if cancelled 14 days before, 50% refund for 7-14 days
• Strict: Full refund only if cancelled 30 days before check-in
• Non-Refundable: No refunds after booking confirmation

Check-in/check-out day cancellations are handled per the host's policy. Force majeure events (natural disasters, government restrictions) may warrant exceptions.

9.4 Damage and Liability

Guests agree to:

• Treat the property with reasonable care
• Not engage in parties or excessive noise
• Comply with house rules and local laws
• Notify the host of any damage immediately
• Remediate any damage caused by their negligence

Guests are liable for any damage to the property caused by their actions. Hosts may deduct damage costs from the security deposit (if applicable) or pursue legal action. TUKONNECT may facilitate damage dispute resolution but is not liable for property damage.

9.5 Safety and Security

Hosts must maintain properties in safe, sanitary condition. Guests must report any safety hazards or health concerns to hosts immediately. Both hosts and guests agree to comply with all local building codes, safety regulations, and fire codes.

9.6 Reviews and Ratings

Users are encouraged to leave honest reviews and ratings after their stay. Reviews must be truthful, relevant, and not contain personal attacks or defamatory statements. TUKONNECT may remove reviews that violate community standards or contain false information. Review scores impact host reputation and visibility on the Platform.

10. Refunds and Chargeback Policies

10.1 Refund Eligibility

Refund eligibility depends on transaction type:

• Event Cancellations: Full refund of ticket cost minus non-refundable fees
• User Cancellations: Refunds depend on event organizer's policy and timing
• BnB Cancellations: Refunds depend on host's stated cancellation policy
• Service Failures: Full refund if service was not provided as promised

10.2 Refund Processing

Approved refunds are processed within 5-7 business days to the original payment method. For M-Pesa transactions, refunds are credited to the registered M-Pesa account. For card payments, refunds are credited to the original card. You are responsible for any fees charged by your financial institution for receiving refunds.

10.3 Partial Refunds and Fee Deductions

Refunds may be reduced by:

• Payment processing fees (typically 1-3% of transaction)
• TUKONNECT service commission (if refund is initiated by user)
• Verified damages or losses (for BnB bookings)
• Disputed or contested charges

10.4 Chargeback and Dispute Procedures

If you believe you have been charged incorrectly or a transaction was unauthorized, you should first contact TUKONNECT support to attempt resolution. We will investigate the dispute and respond within 10 business days. If the dispute cannot be resolved to your satisfaction, you may file a chargeback with your payment provider as a last resort.

However, we strongly discourage chargebacks as they harm our ability to provide services and are costly to process. Filing a chargeback without first attempting to resolve the issue with TUKONNECT support may result in account suspension or termination. Chargebacks relating to legitimate transactions that were processed correctly may result in permanent bans and legal action.

10.5 Excessive Refund Requests

Users with patterns of excessive refund requests, chargebacks, or potential fraud may have their accounts suspended or terminated at TUKONNECT's sole discretion.

11. Limitation of Liability

11.1 As-Is Service Provision

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS-IS" AND "AS-AVAILABLE" BASIS. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, TUKONNECT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, OR GUARANTEES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE PLATFORM OR SERVICES, INCLUDING:

• Warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
• Warranty that services will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure
• Warranty that services will meet your requirements or expectations
• Warranty that defects will be corrected

11.2 Limitation of Damages

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL TUKONNECT, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR:

• Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Lost profits, lost revenue, or lost opportunity
• Lost data or business interruption
• Any damages arising from unauthorized access to or alteration of your information

In no case shall TUKONNECT's total liability exceed the amount you paid for the specific transaction giving rise to the claim, or $100 USD, whichever is less.

11.3 Third-Party Liability

TUKONNECT is not responsible for:

• Disputes between users (event organizers, hosts, guests, attendees)
• Event cancellations or postponements by organizers
• Property damage at BnB accommodations
• Personal injury or accidents at events or accommodations
• Inaccurate event information provided by organizers
• Poor quality accommodations or amenities provided by hosts
• Conduct of other users on the Platform

You acknowledge that TUKONNECT acts as an intermediary and facilitator, not as a principal in transactions between users.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless TUKONNECT, its directors, officers, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

• Your use of the Platform
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any applicable law or third-party rights
• Your user-generated content or posts
• Your conduct or interactions with other users
• Disputes arising from your transactions

This indemnification obligation does not apply to claims arising from TUKONNECT's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

13. Intellectual Property Rights

13.1 TUKONNECT IP Ownership

TUKONNECT retains all intellectual property rights in the Platform, including:

• Platform software, code, and technology
• TUKONNECT logos, trademarks, and brand identity
• Platform design, layout, and user interface
• Algorithms and systems (including tribe matching, voting systems)
• Documentation and instructional materials

These intellectual property rights are protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works without express written permission from TUKONNECT.

13.2 User-Generated Content Rights

You retain ownership of content you create and post on the Platform (reviews, comments, profile information, images). However, by posting content, you grant TUKONNECT a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, display, reproduce, and distribute your content for platform operations and improvement. This license survives account termination.

13.3 Third-Party Intellectual Property

You warrant that any content you post does not infringe on third-party intellectual property rights, including copyrights, trademarks, patents, or trade secrets. You are solely responsible for ensuring you have rights to any content you upload or share. TUKONNECT reserves the right to remove infringing content and suspend the accounts of repeat infringers.

13.4 Copyright Infringement Notifications

If you believe your copyright is being infringed through the Platform, you may notify TUKONNECT via email. Provide evidence of your copyright, identification of infringing content, and evidence that you are the rights holder. TUKONNECT will investigate and take appropriate action including content removal if the claim is valid.

14. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

14.1 Informal Resolution

If you have a dispute with TUKONNECT, you agree to first attempt informal resolution by contacting us. We will attempt to resolve disputes within 30 days of notification. Both parties should act in good faith to negotiate a resolution.

14.2 Arbitration Agreement

If informal resolution fails, you agree that any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of the Platform shall be resolved through binding arbitration rather than court litigation. Arbitration shall be conducted under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Nairobi, Kenya. The arbitrator(s) shall be qualified jurists with expertise in technology and consumer law.

14.3 Arbitration Exceptions

The following disputes are not subject to arbitration and may be brought in court:

• Claims seeking injunctive relief to prevent intellectual property infringement
• Claims seeking to enforce arbitration agreements
• Claims that by law cannot be arbitrated

14.4 Costs and Fees

Each party shall bear its own attorney fees and costs. The prevailing party may recover reasonable costs from the losing party at the arbitrator's discretion. For disputes under a certain threshold (to be determined), TUKONNECT shall bear half of the arbitration costs.

14.5 Class Action Waiver

You agree not to bring or participate in any class action, collective action, or representative action against TUKONNECT. Disputes must be pursued individually in arbitration or court.

15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Kenya, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any legal action or proceeding arises from these Terms shall be subject to Kenyan law. You irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the arbitration and courts in Nairobi, Kenya.

16. Platform Maintenance and Modifications

16.1 Right to Modify Services

TUKONNECT reserves the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any feature or service on the Platform at any time, with or without notice. We may also modify these Terms at any time. Significant modifications will be communicated via email or website notice. Continued use of the Platform constitutes acceptance of modifications.

16.2 Planned Maintenance

We may conduct planned maintenance on the Platform that temporarily interrupts service. We attempt to schedule maintenance during off-peak hours and provide advance notice when possible. Emergency maintenance may be conducted without advance notice to address security issues or critical bugs.

16.3 Service Availability

While we strive for high availability, we do not guarantee that the Platform will be available 100% of the time. We are not liable for temporary interruptions, outages, or performance degradation caused by maintenance, technical issues, or circumstances beyond our control.

17. Organizer Specific Terms

17.1 Event Organizer Requirements

Event organizers must:

• Verify their identity and provide accurate business information
• Provide accurate, complete event information
• Obtain all necessary permits, licenses, and insurance
• Comply with all local laws and regulations
• Maintain appropriate liability insurance
• Not engage in fraud, misrepresentation, or illegal activity

17.2 Ticket Price Controls

Organizers may set ticket prices at their discretion but may not manipulate pricing in violation of laws or to defraud attendees. Dynamic pricing (price changes over time) must be clearly disclosed. We reserve the right to suspend organizers who engage in pricing fraud.

17.3 Refund Policies

Organizers are required to set clear refund policies that comply with consumer protection laws. Policies must be disclosed at purchase time and honored without exception (except as permitted by law).

17.4 Data Protection Obligations

Organizers receiving attendee data must comply with data protection laws and these Terms by:

• Using data only for event management purposes
• Maintaining data confidentiality and security
• Not selling or sharing data with third parties
• Deleting data within 90 days after event conclusion
• Responding to data access and deletion requests

18. BnB Host Specific Terms

18.1 Host Responsibilities

BnB hosts are responsible for:

• Ensuring properties meet local building codes and safety standards
• Obtaining all necessary permits and licenses for short-term rentals
• Maintaining properties in clean, safe condition
• Providing accurate descriptions and current photographs
• Responding promptly to guest inquiries and issues
• Ensuring guest safety and addressing maintenance issues

18.2 Host Liability and Insurance

Hosts are responsible for insuring their properties and maintaining appropriate liability coverage. TUKONNECT does not provide insurance. Hosts are solely liable for any injuries, damages, or disputes arising from their properties or conduct. Guests assume risks associated with occupying the property and release hosts and TUKONNECT from liability for accidents or injuries.

18.3 Payment and Revenue Sharing

TUKONNECT retains a service commission on booking amounts (typically 15-20%) for payment processing, customer support, and platform maintenance. Hosts receive 80-85% of booking fees. Payments are processed within 7 days of guest check-in or 10 days after booking cancellation (per cancellation policy). Hosts can monitor payment status in their dashboard.

19. Termination and Account Suspension

19.1 Termination by TUKONNECT

TUKONNECT may terminate or suspend your account at any time for:

• Violations of these Terms
• Violations of laws or regulations
• Fraud, misrepresentation, or deceptive practices
• Abuse or harassment of other users or staff
• Intellectual property infringement
• Payment fraud or chargeback disputes
• Non-payment of amounts owed to TUKONNECT
• Threats to Platform security or integrity

We will provide notice of termination where practicable, but may terminate immediately for severe violations.

19.2 Effects of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your access to the Platform is immediately revoked
• Pending transactions may be cancelled
• Outstanding balances remain due
• Your account data is deleted within 30 days (subject to legal retention requirements)
• You remain liable for any damages or claims

19.3 Termination by User

You may terminate your account at any time by requesting deletion. Outstanding balances and contractual obligations remain due. Pending transactions may be cancelled or refunded per applicable policies.

20. Miscellaneous Provisions

20.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, along with our Privacy Policy and other posted policies, constitute the entire agreement between you and TUKONNECT regarding your use of the Platform. These Terms supersede all prior discussions, understandings, and agreements.

20.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect, and the invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

20.3 Waiver

TUKONNECT's failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision. Waivers must be made in writing and signed by authorized TUKONNECT representatives.

20.4 Assignment

You may not assign, transfer, or sublicense your rights or obligations under these Terms without TUKONNECT's written consent. TUKONNECT may assign these Terms without notice in connection with a merger, acquisition, or business transfer.

20.5 Notices

Legal notices to TUKONNECT should be sent to legal@tukonnect.com or our mailing address. We will send notices to the email address associated with your account. Notices are deemed received upon sending.

20.6 Contact Information

For questions about these Terms or the Platform, contact us at:

Email: support@tukonnect.com

Mailing Address:

TUKONNECT
Legal Department
Nairobi, Kenya

20.7 Language

These Terms are provided in English. If translated versions are provided, the English version controls in case of conflict.

20.8 Survival

Provisions that by their nature should survive termination (including liability limitations, indemnification, IP rights, dispute resolution, and payment obligations) survive account termination or Platform discontinuation.

21. Acknowledgment and Agreement

By accessing and using the TUKONNECT Platform, you acknowledge that:

• You have read these Terms of Service in their entirety
• You understand these Terms and agree to be bound by them
• You have the legal capacity to enter into this agreement
• You are at least 13 years of age (18 for certain transaction types)
• You will use the Platform only for lawful purposes
• You assume all risks associated with Platform use
• You acknowledge the limitations of liability set forth herein

Last Updated: July 3, 2026

These Terms of Service are effective immediately upon publication. Thank you for using TUKONNECT.