Demystifying role of First Lady in corridors of power

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and President Uhuru Kenyatta (Photo: Courtesy)

There is a well-worn adage that "behind every great man is a great woman". Although the saying is a little outdated, there is more than a little truth to it.

At the very highest levels, the great women are not standing behind but side by side with their great men, fully equal and commensurate. Men who aspire for high office invariably drag their spouses into the ring. A lot of them roll with the punches and often reemerge after five years either shattered or contented for politics is truly a dirty game.

Setting an example

There is perhaps no better example of this than our First Lady Margaret Kenyatta. From the moment the Kenyattas entered State House, Margaret chartered her own path and devoted her time and resources to caring for the less fortunate members of the society.

Like her predecessor Lucy Kibaki, the current First Lady has brought something valuable to the Office of the President. Rather than sit by and while away time or engage in politics for politics' sake, Mrs Kenyatta has deployed her energy to promote charity and other humanity courses.

In 2014, the First Lady formerly established, in partnership with the government, 'Beyond Zero' in order to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in Kenya.

Millions raised

The programme has raised millions of shillings through private-public sector partnership, individual philanthropists, the media, the United Nations, national and county governments, for the survival and improvement of so many lives. It has played an extremely large role in significantly lowering the risks for women giving birth and infant mortality.

Consequently, Margaret Kenyatta was named United Nations Kenya Person of the Year.

In March, she received the prestigious Fellowship of Honoris Causa Award from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists "in recognition of the First Lady's unflinching commitment to end maternal and child mortality in Kenya besides her efforts to reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission."

During the citation for the award, the First Lady was described as a person who carries herself with grace, determination, commitment, focus and passion especially when addressing the plight of women and children.

Over the last four years, to raise funds and awareness for these vital causes, Margaret Kenyatta created the annual half marathon to end maternal and child mortality across the country. These marathons have raised enough awareness and money to purchase 47 fully equipped mobile clinics delivered to every single County in Kenya.

However, this year the half marathon was cancelled. The First Lady in an official press release stated that the reason for this was so as not "to politicise this agenda".

This was an incredibly brave and honourable decision by the First Lady, especially in a nation where politicians will frequently use any means to realise their goals. In this one decision to hopefully postpone the half marathon, Margaret Kenyatta taught all of us a lesson in humility and how to put politics aside for the greater good.

Partnerships

Her efforts has created many foreign partnerships for the Beyond Zero initiative, as exemplified by a recent meeting between the First Lady and Chinese government representatives who called for enhanced co-operation between China and the Beyond Zero initiative.

The Chinese are keen to provide continued support for Beyond Zero, especially over the proposed Sh2.2 billion state-of-the art referral hospital for women and children that has been Margaret Kenyatta's vision.

The First Lady has visited countless health and welfare institutions around the world for shared insights that could be incorporated into the proposed hospital and other areas of her Beyond Zero initiative.

The First Lady, an independent, strong woman, also furthers an agenda of equality which is being realised more and more every day. Kenya's latest achievement is that it leads Africa on gender inclusivity in boardrooms.

While a lot remains before we achieve absolute gender equality, it is clear that we are moving in the right direction. While Uhuru Kenyatta's image (like those of other presidential contenders) will appear on the ballot paper on August 8, it is clear that Kenyans will not just be voting for these men (all are men), but a partnership. Hopefully, the partnership that reflects change will carry the day.

Ms Mghongo is an MBA student, University of Nairobi