SPEECH BY H.E.

MARGARET KENYATTA, THE FIRST LADY

OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING THE HANDOVER OF
THE 23RDFULLY KITTED `BEYOND ZERO' MOBILE CLINIC
TO KAJIADO COUNTY ON APRIL 23RD, 2015
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am very pleased to join you today, to hand over this fully
kitted `Beyond zero' Mobile Clinic to Kajiado County.
It is the 23rd handover in a series whose end will come when
each of our 47 counties has a fully equipped mobile
clinic.Today, we mark another milestone in our journey to that
end.
Our success to date would not have been possible without the
support and goodwill of both Kenyans and philanthropists from
across the world. We are grateful for it.
On Saturday, April 25th- a day from today- people across the
world will take part in a wide range of activities to mark World
Malaria Day.
Globally 3.3 billion people in 106 countries are at risk of
Malaria. This disease often kills pregnant mothers and
children. In 2012, available statistics from WHO show Malaria
caused an estimated 627,000 deaths, mostly among African
children.
Although Malaria is not endemic in Kajiado, we need to keep
up the fight against this killer disease. We must ensure that
mothers and young children sleep under treated mosquito
nets supplied by the Government as a preventive measure.
I urge the Ministry of Health to intensify implementation of
national Malaria control strategies, including community based
activities for Malaria prevention and treatment in endemic
areas.

Another endemic problem prevalent in this county is eye

diseases that if left untreated can lead to blindness. The
County Health Department should look for preventive
measures to curb these diseases that are caused mostly by
flies.
There is also evidence that Kajiado County bears a heavy
HIV/AIDS epidemic burden. At the end of 2013, the county had
23,056 people living with HIV/AIDS, 13% of whom were
children.
I am aware that women and girls in this county face
challenges that increase their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS:
marriage of underage girls; female genital mutilation; and high
school dropout rates among girls --- all has a direct negative
bearing on the goals to which we are all committed.
I am convinced that counties that will empower women and
youth- through education- are the ones that will reap the fruits
of devolution. This is because, when you empower women,
you have empowered a whole community while empowering
the youth is securing the future.
However, I note that a wind of change is truly blowing through
Maasailand. You now have the first woman MP PerisTobiko of
Kajiado East as well as the first female Maa chief Margaret
Nadupoyi Lemayan.
Congratulations to the people of Kajiado County for
empowering women by giving them leadership positions. You
wait and see the difference it will bring to the community.
I want to particularly thank the Beyond Zero initiative for
providing this mobile clinic specifically for Kajiado County. I
also want to thank your Governor and the people of the entire
County for graciously hosting us today.

Before I conclude, let me remind you that yesterday April

22nd was International Earth Day marked worldwide to
demonstrate support for environmental protection.
Now that the rains are here, let us mark this important day by
planting trees. Imagine if we resolved- each one of us, 41
million- to
plant just a single tree every year and ensure it survives.
Kenya would turn into a green paradise. I know we can do it.
Finally, let me remind Kenyans that the rBeyond Zero
campaign needs your support; Kenyan mothers and children
need your support. Together, we can bring preventable deaths
of mothers and children to zero. This is my dream for Kenya.
Let me now ask you to join me in handing over the 23 rdmobile
clinic to Dr. David Nkedianye, Governor of Kajiado County, on
behalf of the people of this great county.
Thank you.