Prof Dr Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, who was born in Kenya, was awarded with the German Africa Award in 1995 for his significant contributions to political science research and the democratization of his home country.

Nyong’o first studied philosophy and political science at Makerere University in Kampala before continued his studies in political science at the University of Chicago, where he also received his PhD degree in 1977. Afterwards, he was teaching at the University of Nairobi, the National University of Mexico and the University of Addis Ababa. In between, he worked at the United Nations Secretariat in New York for two years. In 1992, he was elected to the Kenyan Parliament for the first time and is still politically active today.

The award was presented by Carl-Dieter Spranger, German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development.