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True to her fashion, her 58th birthday was a quiet affair with little for the public to see. When first lady Margaret Kenyatta assumed her role in 2013 April 9, just a day after her 49th birthday, only a few Kenyans knew her.
Eight years on and she is a darling to many, always receiving praises for her relentless drive championing several social issues including gender equality.
While most Kenyans know her as the soft spoken, often timid first lady, Margaret has often turned heads with her fashion. But it doesn’t end there for the mother of three.
Popularly referred to as Mama Taifa, Margaret has been at the forefront championing social reforms including creating awareness around mother and child wellness – a campaign under which she supported the setting up of a mother-baby hospital unit, named after her, at the Nakuru Level Five hospital.
She is also the head of the Beyond Zero Campaign, a program aiming at reducing child and maternal mortality rates in the country by improving maternal and child health in Kenya. Unveiled in 2013 on the Worlds AIDS Day, the campaign also aims to reduce new HIV infections among children.
The first lady has also championed the fight against cancer by calling on people to embrace and go for early screening for breast, cervical and prostate cancers. She has also been vocal in encouraging healthy lifestyle among the general public in a bid to tackle diabetes.
In October 2014, she was named the Kenya Person of the Year.
She boasts a simple yet authentic fashion and she has been featured a couple times on fashions columns including here on Eve.
To celebrate her on her 58th birthday, Kenyans flocked social media under the #AKiss4MargaretKenyatta, showering her with praises and well wishes.
“Belated happy birthday wishes First Lady H.E Margaret Kenyatta. You are an inspiration to women because of your humility and kindness to humanity. May God give you good health and deepen your compassion for community service.” @Ahalake tweeted.
Calling on others to join in, MarionMatonya tweeted: “Let’s all wish our first Lady, Margaret Kenyatta happy birthday!! She is indeed a role model and an inspiration to many. The health clinics and first lady marathon projects that impacted positively on women can’t be forgotten.”
@Kendi has this to say: Mama Wa Taifa Mama Margaret Kenyatta will be remembered for the “Beyond Zero Campaign” an initiative that has drastically reduced maternal complications and deaths. Show love for the best Kenya’s First Lady.
@Shadme2 added: Happy Birthday to our beautiful First Lady. Thankyou for enhancing gender equality and women empowerment especially during the COVID-19 era. May you be gifted with life’s biggest joys and never-ending bliss. Happy birthday.
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