SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY MARGARET KENYATTA, FIRST

LADY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING THE HANDINGOVER CEREMONY OF THE 41ST BEYOND ZERO MOBILE
CLINIC TO VIHIGA COUNTY AT FRIENDS MBALE HIGH
SCHOOL GROUNDS ON 7TH JUNE 2016.
Governor Moses Akaranga,
The people of Vihiga County,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I want to first thank the people of Vihiga County for your warm
welcome.
Asante Sana kwa kutu karibisha. Murio Muno!
We all know Vihiga for the famous Foot of Jesus, which I have had
the pleasure to see, I am also amazed by the scenery and your
fertile soils.
Bwana Governor, my team and I are here to support the work that
you are doing here in Vihiga county. I have travelled across
several counties delivering mobile clinics. To date, we have
delivered 40 clinics throughout Kenya, and it is a true honor to be
here in Vihiga with the 41st.
I know this county is investing a lot in the health of its people. I
believe the establishment of the County Medical Training College
is a critical step in building the capacity of your hospitals and Im
also excited to hear about the upgrades that are happening to six
health facilities in five sub-countries. I have no doubt these and
other measures you are taking will over time be reflected in the
health of your citizens.
Great progress has been made in the implementation of Mother to
Child Transmission however, studies still show that a significant
number of expectant women in the county do not access Ante
natal and Post-natal health services. This has to change if we are

to attain our Vision 2030, goal of having a healthy and robust

population.
The Beyond Zero clinics which supplement the county
government health facilities, are a result of joint effort of
thousands of Kenyans. They have run with me since 2013 in
marathons to raise funds to support the health of our mothers
and children. Together, we are improving access to basic medical
equipment, procedures and medicine across the country.
These clinics including todayshave been bought through the
generous support and partnership of Kenyans, National
Government, County Governments and the private sector.
Championing the health of our people is a cause we can all join
hands and come together on.
Maternal and child mortality, malnutrition, HIV AIDsare issues
that demand the attention of everybody in this country and we
can all agree on how they need to be addressed. By working
together, we can make more progress than we would working
alone. These clinics attest to that. They show us what can happen
when we individually pledge to do somethingeven something
smallto serve our country.
I would like to applaud the work of the First Lady of Vihiga County
Elizabeth Akaranga, who has worked tirelessly on a personal level,
to promote the health of young girls and women in this County.
You have successfully lead initiatives to create awareness on
important issues around HIV, you have also mentored mothers
and health workers. You have partnered with churches and
encouraged them to speak on the sensitive issue of gender based
violence. Your support to empower women to achieve economic
sustainability has been recognized internationally through their
participation in trade fairs and exhibitions. I want to specially
thank you for the incredible support you have shown to Beyond
Zero. We are truly grateful.
Today, I join all the people of this county, as well as the county
Government, in a partnership for progress that ensures the health

of local residents. It is in that spirit of partnership, that I hand over

this clinic to you Governor Akaranga and to the people of Vihiga
kindly donated by Rotary International and Bank M.
Thank you very much.