Professor Miriam Were was nominated by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and Quaker Peace and Social Witness (QPSW).
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to nominate Dr Miriam Were for the Nobel Peace Prize,” said Joyce Ajlouny, General Secretary of AFSC.
Ajlouny added: “Over the last two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of public health policy and global health equity.
Ajlouny said the nomination was in recognition of Were’s tireless work since the 1970s in promoting trust between governments, health authorities, and the citizens through culturally sensitive programs.
Were’s focus has been on community health approaches, the efforts which they argue facilitate the uptake of health initiatives among the vulnerable people, including the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
Professor Were has the opportunity to become the second Kenyan to win the Nobel Peace Prize after the late Wangari Maathai.