NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 10 – First Lady Margaret
Kenyatta has said she launched ‘Beyond Zero’
campaign to improve on the gains made in
reducing maternal and child deaths in the
country.
She said she was also inspired by the
progress made in reducing new HIV infections
in children.
The First Lady said through her campaign, the
funds raised have been used to buy 20 mobile
clinics.
“The first of these have been delivered to Taita
Taveta, Narok, Samburu, Homa Bay and Baringo.
This week, I will deliver one more to Isiolo
County,” she added.
She spoke during the First Lady’s Half Marathon
2015 sponsors breakfast at State House,
Nairobi.
“We were inspired by the progress that
preceded us: the number of new HIV infections
in children fell by nearly 50pc between 2009,
and 2012,” the First Lady said.
Mrs Kenyatta thanked Kenyans for their
generosity and participation in the ‘Beyond
Zero’ awareness campaign. She urged them to
join her in maintaining the momentum so that
the remaining 27 counties can also get mobile
clinics.
“I have felt the power of that tradition in my
advocacy for Beyond Zero. The generosity of
Kenyans has overwhelmed me. Everywhere I
have been, I have met willing helpers, willing
givers and willing partners,” she said.
The First Lady added: “Kenyans are deeply
interested in the project and when I ran to
raise awareness, fellow Kenyans ran with me
and gave what they had; it was both humbling,
and encouraging.”
She also welcomed the private sector’s
adoption of the ‘Beyond Zero’ project ‘as your
own’.
“Your deep concern for the welfare of others
shows that the private sector in Kenya has truly
come of age,” she said.
She said Kenyans who cannot easily access
healthcare are also “our mothers and fathers,
sisters and brothers, daughters and sons”.
The First Lady said due to support for women
including their health, many are in positions of
“power and influence than ever before in our
history”.
She appreciated the Government’s commitment
to the Millennium Development Goals,
especially international agreements which
emphasise the rights of women.
Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia
praised the First Lady for championing the
noble cause, saying the mobile clinics will
make healthcare accessible to more Kenyans.
At the function, Nairobi businessman Chris
Kirubi brought Sh4million, Kenya Power
donated Sh3million and a piano student Cathy
Kiragu gave Sh230,000.