First Lady Margaret Kenyatta crosses the finish line at last year’s marathon/PSCU
NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 4 — First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has canceled this year’s Beyond Zero marathon, saying she is not willing to politicise her desire to contribute to the end of maternal and child mortality.
In a statement, the First Lady said this year’s marathon would have been to celebrate the achievements made so far, that saw every county receive a mobile clinic.
“My ultimate purpose was to ensure that no mother or child lost their lives unnecessarily and I believe that this is something which should be owned by all of us. However, I have never been willing to politicise this agenda. As a consequence I feel it necessary to cancel the First Lady’s Half Marathon this year,” the First Lady said.
The First Lady has however assured the country that the cause remains until the ultimate goal, which is the betterment of maternal healthcare in this country, and to build the Beyond Zero Referral Hospital is achieved.
“I remain committed to and will not deviate from my ultimate goal, which is the betterment of maternal healthcare in this country, and, to build the Beyond Zero Referral Hospital. I want to reassure all Kenyans that this is a commitment that will remain with me throughout my life,” she asserted.
She has however applauded Kenyans for supporting the initiative saying, “We have done more together than I imagined possible. We have run marathons and raised enough money to purchase 47 fully equipped mobile clinics delivered to every single county in Kenya.”
“Throughout the last four years, our partners—from ordinary Kenyans, to workers in the health sector, to civil society, to policy makers, to the business community and international donors—have given Beyond Zero the inspiration and impetus it has needed to keep going.”
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