|TOP|A Kenyan Methodist bishop who bravely voiced opposition to the violent regime of the notorious former dictator of Uganda, Idi Amin, has been selected as winner of the World Methodist Peace Award.

Bishop Lawi Imathiu will receive his award at a special ceremony on 29 January at the Kenya Methodist University in Meru.

When ruthless political tyrant Idi Amin threw East Africa into turmoil in 1977, Imathiu took up the role as a strong advocate for peace and justice in the region.

Even in the face of attempts by Amin to silence the church witness by ordering the death of the Archbishop of Uganda, Imathiu, who was serving as a member of the Kenyan Parliament at the time, continued to take a brave stand against the tyrant calling him a murderer and an oppressor.

|AD|Bishop Imathiu “showed great courage, with a clear voice for peace, reconciliation, salvation and hope for all people,” commented the Rev. George Freeman, chief executive of the World Methodist Council.

The bishop also challenged the South African apartheid system, once leading a delegation to meet with President P.W. Botha of South Africa to advocate the release of Nelson Mandela, winner of the World Methodist Peace Award in 2000, from prison and the end of the racist system.

Bishop Imathiu was also a key figure in the founding of Kenya Methodist University, which trains Christian leaders in business, agriculture, politics and economics, as well as theology.

“Lawi Imathiu has given his entire life as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and more than 50 years as a courageous, creative advocate for the cause of peace and reconciliation around the world, particularly in the continent of Africa," the Council commendation statement said.

It added: "His faithful witness reflects the values of the World Methodist Peace Award and the criteria for receiving the award: courage, creativity and consistency."

Imathiu, who was president of the World Methodist Council from 1986 to 1991 and the first African to serve in this post, will be presented his award by Sunday Mbang of Nigeria, chairperson of the World Methodist Council which sponsors the award.

Now retired, Imathiu now serves as the African continent secretary for the WMC’s Division of World Evangelism. He and other national leaders are currently working on a new constitution for Kenya.