SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY MARGARET KENYATTA,

FIRST LADY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING

THE HANDING-OVER CEREMONY OF THE 42 ND
BEYOND ZERO MOBILE CLINIC TO BUSIA COUNTY
AT OUR LADY OF GRACE AND COMPASSION PRIMARY
SCHOOL GROUNDS ON 9TH JUNE, 2016.

Governor Ojaamong
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
Watu wa Busia. Mubola Sii
Governor Ojaamong and the people of Busia, thank you so
much for the warm welcome you have extended to me
and my team to this beautiful County of Busia. This County
connects Kenya to one of our biggest trading partners,
Uganda, and therefore plays a vital role in our trade and
economic development for Kenya.
On Tuesday this week we delivered the 41st Mobile clinic to
the neighboring County of Vihiga, and today, we are happy
to be in Busia to deliver the 42nd clinic.
The right to quality and affordable healthcare is something
we take for granted, and yet across this country, there are
still mothers and children, and the general larger
population who continue to struggle to access healthcare
facilities. Many mothers still dont give birth in clinics;
many children are not receiving the basic vaccinations
they need, and many are dying under the age of 5 from
diseases that can easily be treated. This continues to be a
major hindrance to our countrys development.
Today, I am in Busia because I know that you are familiar
with some of these challenges. I know that the County
Government is committed to investing and changing the
health landscape of this region. This is evident from the
resources and actions you have provided in health sector,
particularly the proposed policy that seeks to ensure that
your public hospitals have access to more resources.

HIV prevalence and specifically transmission rates of HIV

from mother to child is a main concern countrywide. We
have heard that this is also a challenge here in Busia
County. We must work together to reverse this trend by
collectively intensifying efforts to contain the epidemic.
There is no doubt that as a county, you have made
incredible progress. However more needs to be done to
improve awareness on HIV and AIDs prevention especially
amongst the youth. We need to scale up on the provision
of services within the county particularly along the borders
where women and girls remain vulnerable.
During my visit to the Busia County, Teaching and Referral
hospital I spoke with mothers and children. I also saw
interesting initiatives such as the Kangaroo concept skin
to skin contact where premature babies are placed on
their mothers chests to avoid separating mothers and
their premature newborns. We also heard about the
positive impact of the national governments free
maternity health services that have increased access to
critical health services - such as modern theatres and
equipment. These have enhanced prompt attention to
critically ill patients, increased healthcare workers
capacity to attend to them and increased their chances for
a full recovery.
I commend the Countys First Lady Judy Ojamoomg for the
work you are championing to protect our young girls
through the Stand up - Speak up for girls campaign. Your
support has made an impact in helping girls to have a
voice against rape and sexual harassment.
Your awareness campaigns on cancer and the importance
of giving birth in hospitals, as well as promoting the
protection of children makes a big difference to the
community. I want to thank you for these important
initiatives, and the support you continue to give the
Beyond Zero Campaign.
We all have to do our part. We all have to work hard.
Governments cannot do what they do alone; NGOs and
private sector cannot do what they do alone. All of us

must take it upon ourselves to participate in guarding our

own, and each others well-being.
So, Governor Ojamoong. As I hand over this mobile clinic,
kindly donated by Shinnyo-en from Tokyo Japan, it is my
hope that it will supplement and inspire you to continue
doing the work you are doing.
Thank you Shinnyo-en;
the spiritual work that you do is truly inspiring to the
community.
Bwana Governor, I look forward to witnessing the
transformation of this county as the Busia community
becomes a leading county in health matters.
With those few remarks, it is now my pleasure to hand
over this 42nd mobile
clinic
to
Governor
Ojaamong.
Thank you.