NAIROBI, KENYA: General Motors’ company donated a mobile clinic worth Sh10 million while Equity Bank donated a cheque of Sh50 million to support the First Lady’s beyond zero campaign during her inaugural half marathon in Nairobi.
At the finishing tape the First Lady who completed the 21 Km race with a time of 3 hours and 46 minutes was received and hugged by President Uhuru Kenyatta. Later the President presented certificates of participation to the First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and the wife of the Deputy President Rachel Ruto. Speaking at the function President of Athletics Kenya Isaiah Kiplagat said the event was one of the most successful in the field of sports and called for more of such events saying it is a noble idea to use sports not only as a tool to raise finds but for peace and unity.
He congratulated the First Lady for conceiving the idea of using sports to save lives adding that her initiative has proved that sports is a good tool for nurturing unity and national cohesion. “We need to organize more events of this nature in all parts of our country to help in peace building and ensure tranquillity amongst all Kenyans,” said Mr Kiplagat. He said her initiative of using sports to save lives of children and women has left a legacy which will forever be remembered in the history of this country and the world at large.
On his part the Cabinet Secretary for Sports Hassan Wario said the choice of using athletics as a tool to raise funds was a brilliant idea for it is what Kenya is known for. “I thank her Excellency the First Lady for choosing sports as an avenue for various causes in saving live,” he said. Cabinet secretary for Health Mr James Macharia said the Beyond Zero campaign will go a long way in complementing the Government efforts in reducing child mortality and maternal deaths. He said the free maternal child health which has been implemented all over the country has helped increase deliveries at health centres from 44% to 66%.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi promised to send a team to London next month to support the First Lady. He appealed to all Kenyans to embrace the initiative saying the agenda of saving lives is a noble and worthy cause.
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