Nubian Rights Forum is a human rights organization started in 1997 as a movement that advocates for the rights of the Nubian ethnic minority in Kenya. NRF’s vision is to be part of a society that recognizes minority rights and accords them with equal opportunities. Nubian Rights Forum is based in Kibra, Nairobi, but operates country-wide through its links with other Nubian settlements and partnerships with a range of civil society organizations in Kisii, Eldama Ravin, Kakamega, Bungoma, Kisumu, Mombasa, Mumias, and Kericho. Our vision is to have a society that recognizes the minorities’ rights and accords them equal opportunities that enables them to realize their goals and rights. Our mission is to empower the marginalized Nubian Ethnic minority and other discriminated communities, to effectively access justice, realize their human and peoples’ rights through advocacy, networking, lobbying, legal aid, legal education, representation, and research.

Our coalition partners have made significant progress in advocating for non-discrimination on citizenship and documentation. In mid-2021, the Nubian community submitted a petition to Parliament on discrimination in access to ID cards & recognition of Nubians as a tribe. In December 2021, the Committee on Administration & National Security conducted factfinding and issued a report with recommendations – including that vetting should be transparent & non-discriminatory. On the other hand, Parliament issued a report on the Pemba community petition in December 2021 with the recommendation that the stateless Pemba qualify for citizenship under the law and should be conferred nationality to alleviate their suffering. Last but not least, there is an ongoing process of deregistering and issuing IDs to Kenyans who were in the Refugees database -as a result of sustained community action by affected communities and their MPs. Taking advantage of these developments and in light of the forthcoming elections, our coalition is applying for a Voice Sudden Opportunity grant to help us mobilize and support our communities to push for issuance of IDs to affected communities including stateless persons who qualify under the law to enable them to exercise their civic rights in August elections 2022 elections and beyond. We are also seeking to promote a national discourse on Huduma Bill and a sustained advocacy action to ensure that the enacted Bill meets the threshold of law capable of anchoring a transparent and inclusive digital ID in Kenya. Currently, the Bill was circulated in the public for citizens to address their concerns before it goes to the second reading.