NCCK Nominated Alongside US Firm For Nobel Peace Prize

The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has been nominated for the prestigious 2023 Nobel Peace Prize.

NCCK was nominated on Saturday, February 18 alongside the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC), a group that led the push in 2018 for Amendment 4, which restored voting rights for most felons who had completed their sentences and paid their dues in the United States (US).

The council in their statement lauded their nomination by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and Quaker Peace and Social Witness for the highly-coveted prize.

This is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Swedish industrialist, inventor and armaments (military weapons and equipment) manufacturer Alfred Nobel, along with the prizes in Chemistry, Physics, Physiology or Medicine and Literature. 

"We in the National Council of Churches of Kenya are honoured and excited as we confirm nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize 2023. The Nobel Peace Prize is globally considered the strongest affirmation of the contribution of an individual or organization to the peace and well-being of humanity.

"For more than 100 years, the NCCK has been a leader, catalyst and agent of transforming lives of Kenyans for a just, resilient and sustainable society, being fully committed to the motto “For Wananchi”," stated NCCK in part.

The NCCK added that it has made an invaluable contribution to the democratization of Kenya, the reintroduction of multi-party politics, an overhaul of the Constitution of Kenya, elections observation, peacebuilding, safeguarding of human rights of citizens, and promoted dialogue and mediation as well as healing and reconciliation.

For decades, the NCCK has fostered political and civic participation by all people as a foundation for peace and prosperity.

"These efforts climaxed in the outbreak of peace experienced during and after the hotly contested 2022 General Elections that was driven by intensive peace messaging and campaigns for peaceful voting and seeking legal redress for disputed results in courts rather than on the streets as was witnessed in the past," added NCCK.

In their citation, the AFSC noted that the nomination of NCCK for the Nobel Peace Prize “is intended to draw attention to global threats to democratic government and highlight activist organisations working to build and support democracy”.

Founded in 1917 to consolidate peace and social justice, the AFSC was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1947 in recognition of its commitment to relief action and peaceful movement, as well as support to victims of the Second World War.

On its part, the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition is a grassroots organization run by returning citizens or formerly convicted persons which has tirelessly worked to end the disenfranchisement of people with criminal convictions.

Their work led to the passage of Amendment 4 which restored the right of past convicts to participate in elections.

"NCCK heartily thanks the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and Quaker Peace and Social Witness (QPSW) for the nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize 2023.

"This being the first nomination of a faith-based organization, it underscores the necessity of promoting and protecting democracy by working for civil rights,  empowering citizens for participation, and advocating for laws and policies that safeguard peace and prosperity of all," added NCCK.

NCCK is a fellowship of Protestant churches and Christian organisations registered in Kenya. It is currently Chaired by the Africa Brotherhood Church (ABC) Archbishop Dr Timothy Ndambuki.

Since March 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded annually (with some exceptions) to those who have "done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses"

In accordance with Alfred Nobel's will, the recipient is selected by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, a five-member committee appointed by the Parliament of Norway. Since 2020 the prize is awarded in the Atrium of the University of Oslo.

Since its inception, there have been 12 Nobel Laureates from Africa selected by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, including Ethiopian Prime Minister H.E. Abiy Ahmed Ali who received the award in 2020.

The late Professor Wangari Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace. She was an environmentalist and founder of the Green Belt Movement.

The late Professor Wangari Maathai with the Nobel Peace Prize. /FILE