Narok leaders commend First Lady Margaret Kenyatta for her quest to alleviate women, children suffering

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta comforts a cancer patient at Dr. AB May Cancer Treatment Centre, Windhoek. (Photo:File)

Narok, Kenya: Narok County leaders led by their Governor Samuel Tunai commended the First Lady Mrs. Margaret Kenyatta for her outstanding efforts in alleviating the suffering of women and children in Kenya.

They said her efforts portray a true and genuine picture of the African mother who goes out of her way to ensure her family is well catered for.

 “Your efforts have created a lot of attention. You have created awareness on the plight of mothers and children and provided solutions to some of the problems facing them through your ‘Beyond Zero’ initiative,” said Narok Women Representative Soipani Kudate

Over 200 Narok County residents took advantage of the launch of the fully kitted mobile clinic to get free services at a medical camp at the Maasai Mara University.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the First Lady said mobile clinics and other health care services provided by the Government will ensure Kenyans access better health services.

The First Lady assured Kenyans that the “Beyond Zero” campaign she is spearheading together with other public health care services, will offer women the opportunity to celebrate the joys of motherhood and watch their children grow into healthy adults.

 “Since the launch of the Beyond Zero strategy last year, I am happy to note that each passing day brings an achievement towards realizing the objectives of this commitment—ensuring the safety of all mothers and children,” said the First Lady.

Expressing her concern on the high rate of child mortality and deaths of adults in Narok County because of HIV/AIDS related complications, the First Lady called on the local community to discard cultural practises which tend to contribute to the spread of the disease.

 “I am informed that in 2013, 1341 adults and 188 children died of AIDS related complications in Narok County alone. The figures are by all standards unacceptable because these are deaths that we can avert,” she added.

She expressed regret that the challenges that women and girls face in the County tend to increase their vulnerability to HIV/Aids.

“Issues such as marriage of underage girls, Female Genital Mutilation and high school dropout rates all have a direct bearing on the goals that we are committing to, today,” the First Lady said.

She said the future of Kenya is premised on its children and this will be secured only if they are healthy, educated and free of HIV/Aids virus.

The First Lady noted that the fully kitted mobile clinic which she handed over to the Narok County Government through Governor Samwel Tunai, will be used to deliver essential health services to pastoralists who spend long hours and days tending to their livestock in the field.